Ability Bathe (Devon) Ltd, Abbotskerswell, TQ12 5NL Tel: 01803 814309 • Andrew Ward 07711 184309 • email: andrew@abilitybathe.co.uk Emergency Installations Within 7 Days
Departing Mon 17 Mar ‘25
This
and Chester, where there’s plenty on offer.
Your break includes
Return coach travel from Plymouth
4 nights at a selected hotel in the North West area (JG2 rating) with dinner & breakfast
2 for 1 bar (6pm-9pm) on selected drinks
Excursions to Manchester, Chester & Liverpool
▶ SAVE £30 - Quote PLY - Book by 14 Feb 2025
Departing Mon 2 Jun ‘25
On this fantastic break we enjoy the island’s natural beauty as well as a nostalgic journey on the Isle of Wight Steam Railway and a visit to fascinating Osborne House.
Your break includes
Return coach travel & ferry crossings from Plymouth, Saltash
4 nights at the Shanklin Beach Hotel, Shanklin (JG2+ rating) with dinner & breakfast
2 for 1 bar (Shanklin Beach Hotel only)
Entertainment some evenings
Heritage train journey on the Isle of Wight Steam Railway
Excursions to Osborne House, Cowes & Ryde
Optional Island Highlights Tour (£15pp)
Departing Mon 17 Mar ‘25
Beloved for its pretty beaches, and classic charm, Scarborough is the perfect destination for a stunning five-day getaway! We enjoy a stunning excursion programme with visits to Whitby, York and the filming location for the TV series Heartbeat, Goathland.
Your break includes
Return coach travel from Plymouth, Saltash
4 nights at a selected hotel in Scarborough (JG2 rating) with dinner & breakfast
Light entertainment every evening
2 for 1 bar (6pm-9pm) on selected drinks
Excursions to Goathland (Heartbeat), Whitby & York
▶ SAVE £30 - Quote PLY - Book by 14 Feb 2025
Poorly rescue puppy defies all the odds to celebrate her first birthday at Woodside
A rescued puppy given just months to live due to a serious heart condition has just celebrated her first birthday at a Plymouth animal sanctuary.
The Pomeranian called Kiwi was nine weeks
old when she arrived at Woodside Animal Welfare Sanctuary last spring, having been diagnosed with a Grade 5 heart murmur.
With vets expecting her to live for less than six months, Woodside assistant supervisor Kirstin Stone decided to take Kiwi home and give her the best life possible in the time she had left.
A year on, Kiwi has just celebrated her first birthday with a party at the sanctuary, surrounded by Kirstin and all the staff who have grown to adore her.
Kirstin said Kiwi, who weighs just 2.8kgs, had defied the odds, with her most recent veterinary check revealing her heart is getting stronger.
Although Kirstin is reluctant to look too far ahead, she is enjoying each day with her adorable dog who she says loves the beacheven trying a spot of paddleboarding!
“I’m really excited and happy for her,” Kirstin said. “I take every day as it comes with Kiwi and don’t look too far ahead, I’m grateful for every adventure. I like to take on animals that need extra care and I wanted to give Kiwi
the best life she could have. Her heart has started to get stronger. It hasn’t healed but it is getting stronger.”
When Kiwi first arrived at the sanctuary at Elfordleigh she slept for much of the day and, once home with Kirstin, was carried around because she was so tired.
Kirstin gradually introduced gentle exercise followed by rest days and as Kiwi grew stronger, the inseparable pair started taking on new adventures together.
In the last few months, Kiwi has been on boat trips, paddleboarding, running on the moors and visited Father Christmas, with plenty of rest in between.
Kiwi joins Kirstin when she’s working at the sanctuary, where she’s a regular in the staffroom and will often be invited for
sleepovers with other staff, who all love her.
Kirstin added: “Initially I made sure Kiwi took it slow and at her own pace. As she got stronger, I upped her walks and have done more with her. She still has rest days. If she’s had quite a long walk the day before, she’d quite happily go again but I give her time to recover.
“She’s very loving and playful. She’s very loved here at the sanctuary and had a birthday party with the staff. Everyone wore party hats and sang happy birthday. She had presents and a cake.”
To find out more about the animals searching for a home at Woodside, visit the sanctuary’s website at www.woodsidesanctuary.org.uk.
Members of the Woodside team donned party hats and sang happy birthday to celebrate with Kiwi
Proudly sponsored by
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 Band of the Royal Marines
Feb 15
Royal Marines Band Plymouth, based at HMS Raleigh in Torpoint presents a concert at Theatre Royal Plymouth at 7.30pm. The concert will feature classic marches, overtures, soloists, a spectacular finale and not forgetting the ever-present Corps of Drums. Tickets from www.theatreroyal.com
Valentine’s Soup and Sweet Lunch
Feb 15
Visitor Centre, Ford Park Cemetery at 1pm. Tickets £15. Booking beforehand is essential. Office hours are 10am to 4pm Monday to Friday. Call 01752 665442 or email info@ford-park-cemetery.org
Wings and Wonderful Things
Feb 18 to Feb 21
Brighten up half term by joining the team at The Box to make colourful bird puppets and masks. They will be taking inspiration from the owls and ‘jumbie birds’ in the John Lyons: Carnivalesque exhibition, as well as some of the wonderful birds that are more local to here in Plymouth. Last entries at 12.15pm and 3.15pm. Sessions are particularly ideal for children aged four to 11 years old and their adults. Free and no need to book.
Fun-Filled Magic Show
Feb 19
Step into a world of magic and mayhem at Home Park with Emazdad the magician. He will be joined by his two mischievous pals, Stinky Rat and Marmite the Lion, who are guaranteed to bring plenty of giggles and laughter with their daft and delightful antics. Tickets and information from www.homeparkstadium. com or call the ticket office in 01752 907700.
Freaks, Geeks (and other human beings)
Feb 21
A one woman show featuring the multi-talented Carly Barnes at the Barbican Theatre at 7.30pm. Freaks is a tribute to the enduring power of parental love –ì even through difficult and testing times. But love which binds can also blind. Blind us to the real needs of those we love the most. Tickets from www.eventbrite. co.uk
Bird & Wildlife Cruise
Feb 27, Mar 1
Join Plymouth Boat Trips for the new Bird Watching Cruise to see and learn about the many birds that migrate to the area during the autumn and winter months, travelling the River Tamar and River Lynher, which are known for wintering wildfowl and many waders. Passengers may see Shelduck, Wigeon, Curlew, Greenshank, Black-tailed Godwit, the stunning Avocets and hopefully be fortunate to also see Spoonbills. Commentary will be provided to give the opportunity to improve bird identification skills and learn about the ecology of the birds and the river. Tickets include a hot tea or coffee. For details and tickets visit www. plymouthboattrips.co.uk
Art Exhibition
Feb 21 to 27
Mindful Art Club presents an art exhibition at Leadworks, Plymouth. The event is free to attend and includes an opening night with entertainment and music on Friday February 21, from 7pm to 11pm. The artwork on display is a collection of pieces created by Mindful Art Club participants and is a culmination of an 18 month addiction recovery group project. It’s funded by the Peoples Health Trust.
Out and About
Your guide to events in the local community and beyond
Popular comedian and star of the hit TV series Parental Guidance is bringing her Battleaxe Tour to Plymouth Pavilions on March 1.
Katherine Ryan Mar 1
Popular comedian and star of hit TV series Parental Guidance brings her Battleaxe Tour to Plymouth Pavilions at 8pm. For tickets and information visit www.plymouthpavilions.com
Coffee Morning Mar 1
Crownhill Methodist Church from 10.30am to 12 noon. Various stalls. In aid of Alzheimers Research. All welcome.
Mary Poppins
Feb 26 to Mar 29
Cameron Mackintosh and Disney’s spectacular production of the classic multi award-winning musical Mary Poppins is flying to Theatre Royal Plymouth.
Acclaimed Australian stars, Stefanie Jones and Jack Chambers reprise their roles as Mary Poppins and Bert, having both received critical acclaim and nightly standing ovations for their performances in the recent Australian production. Tickets from www.theatreroyal. com/whats-on/mary-poppins
Plymouth Hoe Bike Night
Mar 6
The 2025 Plymouth Hoe Bike Nights are held every Thursday evening from 6pm until 9pm on Plymouth Hoe Promenade until the end of October. Expect to see hundreds of different types of motorcycles, motorcycle trade stands, fast food catering and on selected dates a live band.
Super Saturdays
Mar 8, Apr 5, May 3
Head to The Box for a Saturday of celebration themed around its exhibition programme. Super Saturdays are for everyone to enjoy, with free family activities and special talks and events to help visitors to explore The Box exhibitions further. Open from 10am to 5pm.
An Evening with Tony Bellew
Mar 14
Boxing fans and sports enthusiasts, get ready for an exciting night with the former world boxing champion at Home Park Stadium from 7pm to 11pm. A unique event that offers the chance to meet ‘The Bomber’ up close and personal. From insights into his career to an
exclusive Q&A, this is an opportunity you won’t want to miss. For tickets and further information visit www. homeparkstadium.com
‘Just’Living Day
March 15
Family friendly event with free entry from 10.30am to 3.30pm at Hope Baptists Church, Peverell Corner. Focusing on the challenge of climate change, bioversity and environmental issues. A day of talks and family friendly interaction with a number of exhibitors including Plymouth Energy Community, Climate Action Plymouth, Wembury Marine Centre, Plymouth Scrapstore, Just Money Movement, Clean Our Patch, Food Plymouth, Climate Connections and Sockists. The Plymouth Climate Choir will also be performing during lunchtime when pasties will be available. Refreshments including homemade cakes also available all day.
Men’s Day Out
Mar 22
The ever-popular fund-raiser for St Luke’s Hospice returns again. An unmissable mix of miles, mates and memories. Discover a special bond with friends old and new for the 12km route starting and ending at Plymouth Albion. Details and registration at www. stlukes-hospice.org.uk/mensdayout
Spring Concert
Mar 22
University of Plymouth Choral Society will be performing the Requiem by Fauré and other choral works at St Andrew’s Minster in Royal Parade at 7.30pm. Tickets available from Choral Society members or on the door £16 adults and £6 students.
Ed Byrne - Tragedy Plus Time
March 22
Attributed to Mark Twain, humour is defined as Tragedy Plus Time. Ed Byrne tests that formula by mining the most tragic events in his life for laughs. Performance at The Quad Theatre on the Marjon campus at 7.30pm. For tickets and information visit www.comicalentertainment.com
Spring Fayre
Mar 22
St Budeaux Church Community Hall, The Green, PL5 2HN from 11am to 2.30pm. Various stalls, crafts, books
and toys. Homemade cakes and pasty lunch available Email:fayres@st-budeaux-church.co.uk to book a table.
Flax Dolly Making
March 22
Join Culture Club at Stoke Youth and Community Centre as they celebrate Spring Equinox from 2pm. Details from www.tinyurl.com/TVH-events
Spring Fair
Mar 29
Ford Park Cemetery from 10.30am to 1.30pm. There will be a number of stalls with many bargains. Occasionally events have to be cancelled at short notice through bad weather forecasts, so please check Facebook page and the Ford Park Cemetery Trust website.
Plymouth Philharmonic Choir
Apr 5
The choir is performing Mendelssohn’s Elijah at 7.30pm in The Minster Church of St Andrew, Plymouth. Mendelssohn’s oratorio is a masterpiece in action packed story telling. With thrilling, energetic choruses and hushed, reflective scenes the choir are delighted to be performing this much-loved work. The choir will be joined by four first class soloists: Soprano Catherine Hamilton, Mezzo-soprano Clare McCaldin, Tenor Robyn Lyn Evans and Baritone Thomas Humphreys. 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/635374. For more information please visit www.plymouthphilchoir.org
Lou Sanders
Apr 24
Acclaimed stand-up comedian Lou Sanders brings her show ‘No Kissing in the Bingo Hall’ to Plymouth’s Quad Theatre on the Marjon campus at 8pm. Tickets and information from www.comicalentertainment.com
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.
New breast screening site in city centre
The West Devon and East Cornwall Breast Screening service has announced the opening date of its new additional site at Merchant House in Notte Street (pictured above).
The state-of-the-art modern location will open on February 17 and will have staff available Monday to Friday to carry out Breast Screening for all those invited as part of the national screening programme aged between 50 to 71, and all those on a breast surveillance programme.
Screening breast care nurse Kayleigh Davenport said: “Breast screening prevents an estimated 1,300 deaths from breast cancer each year in the UK. It is free to attend and only takes a few minutes. Please take the time for yourself and always attend when invited.
“Data shows the screening uptake is still not used to its full capacity so with new locations such as Merchant House we really hope this will help with access and ease for ladies in the local area and help improve breast screening uptake.”
Patients will still be able to attend the mobile unit or University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust breast screening service if they wish to do so.
Anyone with questions about breast screening or who have missed an invitation it’s never too late to book - call the screening admin team on 01752 431652.
Police are seeking the public’s help to identify this man in relation to a burglary in Plymouth.
Entry was forced at a commercial premises on Cornwall Street shortly before 1am on Friday January 10 and items stolen. Officers are looking to identify the man pictured who it is believed may be able to assist with enquiries.
Anybody who can help is asked to call 101 or get in touch via our website quoting 50250006843 Recognise
Plymouth police cadet wins prestigious national award
A police cadet in Plymouth has received a national Lord Ferrers award for his outstanding contribution in helping to protect and educate local communities.
Caolan Hutchins, who is 16, has been a member of the police cadets for two years.
He recently received the Lord Ferrers ‘Volunteer Police Cadet Award 2024’. The Lord Ferrers Awards recognise outstanding contributions to volunteering in policing. Awarded annually, the Awards are open to a wide range of policing volunteers across 11 individual and team categories.
Caolan attended the prestigious ceremony at The De Vere Grand Connaught Rooms in London, where his award was presented by Commodore Jo Adey ADC RN. He even had a personal conversation with Home Secretary Yvette Cooper!
Police cadets are made up of young people, aged from 13 to 17 years old. They work regularly with police to engage with the public, educate people on useful crime prevention advice, give valuable information out about how to report crime and support regular officers at local events and operations.
Police Youth Engagement officer Deb Hart commented on how much Caolan’s confidence has grown since being involved in the cadets: “Despite initially being shy when he first joined, Caolan has grown in maturity considerably. He has risen to the challenge of leading sessions for the junior members of the group, helping to shape and support the next generation of young people joining the program.
“He holds the core values of the cadets to heart, making sure the sessions are inclusive and accessible so that everyone learns and grows together with no-one left behind. He works hard to create a safe space so that
everyone in the group feels valued, heard and confident to speak up.
“Caolan has truly gone above and beyond the usual expectation of a cadet, diligently taking on the additional responsibility to support the running of the unit.”
Caolan recently supported Devon & Cornwall Police officers with a successful test purchase operation. The activity involved him joining plain clothes police officers and attempting to purchase a knife as an underage person without ID. This formed part of the police’s effort to prevent knife sales to young people by educating shops around the laws of knife sales.
The work Caolan was involved in will be used as a benchmark for other forces nationally and cadet units across the UK.
Deb Hart continued: “Caolan’s professionalism, dedication and thoughtfulness shines through in everything he does. He consistently demonstrates a commitment to the values of both the force and volunteer police cadets. Caolan is absolutely deserving of the recognition he has received for his level of service to the group and our local communities.”
To date, Caolan has received Cadet of the Year 2024, Regional Cadet of the Year 2024 and the national Lord Ferrers Award 2024.
Caolan, former Plymstock School pupil, is a Uniformed Public Services student at City College Plymouth.
Richard Wiltshire, Public Services lecturer at City College Plymouth said: “Caolan is an inspirational, mature, and hardworking individual. A great role model for his peers.”
Any young person interested in joining the cadets or being a cadet leader, can visit www.youth.devoncornwall.police.uk/police-cadets/devon-cornwall-policecadets/
Developer’s donation to Pilgrims’ charity
The builder behind two major developments in Plymouth has donated £3,000 to the charity arm of Plymouth Argyle.
Persimmon Homes Cornwall & West Devon presented the cheque at Home Park to Argyle Community Trust, alongside the Leader of Plymouth Council, Cllr Tudor Evans, and Cllr Sue Dann, Cabinet Member for Sport.
The funds will be going towards supporting the charitable work delivered from the Hub at Foulston Park, due to launch this spring. More specifically, the funding will help Argyle Community Trust to deliver new weekly football and multi-sport sessions to local children with a disability.
Argyle Community Trust aims to have a positive impact on a range of groups within society and to provide the local community with the opportunity to explore their full potential, improve their life chances, and achieve their aspirations through the power of football and Plymouth Argyle FC.
They have been operating for over 20 years, offering a large range of activities and programmes from football to nationally recognised educational qualifications, from health to social action and disability. The populations they serve face barriers in
relation to health, well-being, education, employment, levels of physical activity, and high deprivation.
The developer currently has three-bed homes available for sale on the fourth phase at Palmerston Heights in Derriford. Two, three, and four-bed homes are also for sale at Saltram Meadows.
Persimmon donates £24,000 to good causes and much-valued organisations across Cornwall and West Devon every year as part of its Community Champions scheme. Recent recipients including Plymouth Night Patrol, Argyle Pride, St Luke’s Hospice, and Building Plymouth. A donation was also made to fund a defibrillator at Palmerston Heights.
Dwain Morgan, head of Business Development from Argyle Community Trust, said: “We are incredibly grateful to Persimmon Homes for their generous donation towards our new children’s disability football sessions. Their support is helping us create a fun environment where young players can build confidence, develop skills, and enjoy making new friends.
Thanks to Persimmon, we’re able to purchase inclusive equipment and deliver new opportunities to local children who can often find accessing community sport difficult. We look forward to bringing this opportunity to life.”
Vital repairs on the way for Plymouth schools
Plymouth City Council is investing more than £140,000 to support vital building work and repairs on four city schools.
The council is responsible for major maintenance works to localauthority-maintained schools and receives a limited capital grant from the Government to carry out major works. Academies are responsible for their own building maintenance and can apply directly for funding from the Department of Education.
The following schools will undergo repair work, following a council decision signed this month:
• Cann Bridge School: New safety fencing and landscaping to ensure a safe and secure outdoor environment
• Ham Drive Nursery School: New replacement boiler
• Mill Ford School: Essential surveying to establish the condition of the school to enable better management of the building
• Woodlands School: Ventilation works to provide enhanced cooling and ventilation to support pupils with complex needs.
The work will be scheduled to minimise any disruption to pupils and staff, including during school holiday periods where appropriate.
The schools will be asked to contribute 10 per cent towards the costs and this is then used to support future school repairs.
Councillor Sally Cresswell, Cabinet Member for Education, Skills and Apprenticeships, said: “It’s really important that children, young people and teaching and support staff are able to learn and work in a safe environment. We regularly review our physical school estate to identify any buildings that are in need of repair and will be working to carry out the works as soon as possible.”
Nearly £200,000 of funding will be held in reserve in case any emergency repairs, for example damaged roofs, flooding or alarm failures, are required. This ensures that the council can respond to incidents effectively.
Caolan Hutchins pictured with his award alongside Police Youth Engagement officer Deb Hart
elburton dental
Independent private dental practice based in the nearby village of Elburton
”Best experience in years for a dentist visit. Friendly, informative and confidence inspiring.
Thankyou” - Paul G.
We offer a wide range of treatments and are taking on new patients right now. Call us on 01752 310000, see us at www.elburton.dental or visit us at 22 Springfield Road, Elburton, PL9 8EN
Elburton dental aims to offer high quality service at a fair price We have a team of very experienced dentists, hygienists and nurses. We want our patients to receive the treatment that’s right for them so that you can make the choice of treatment that suits you best After all, they are your teeth!
Whether you are a regular in need of a check, if you haven’t been in years and think it’s about time, or if you are in need of urgent care and advice, feel free to get in touch
stock gi s for all occasions, antiques, vintage items, art, gold and silver and have 3 floors packed with conversation pieces from around the
Devolution offers major opportunities for Plymouth and South West Peninsula according to the leader of city council
Plymouth and other South West authorities must be ambitious in their plans to secure the widest range of powers and funding from devolution, Plymouth City Council leader Tudor Evans told a full council in January.
Adults, young people and active seniors make up our brilliant team of delivery people across Plymouth. Get in touch to be part of the team. Own transport helpful but not essential. Scan to apply.
Councillor Evans told the special meeting to discuss Plymouth’s initial response to the Government’s English Devolution White Paper that it presented Plymouth and its regional neighbours with a huge opportunity to help improve the lives of local residents.
Councillor Evans said: “This is a major milestone and the long-awaited shake up that local government has needed over the past decade.
“It is right that powers move away from Westminster and decisions sit locally – with those that have the knowledge of their own areas to make change that will really make a difference to people’s lives.
“The devolution of powers and funding to local decision makers will enhance our ability to focus on our priorities such as increasing investment in our roads and public transport, providing better access to education and skills, tackling health inequalities and building new homes.
“We must seize this opportunity to bring more powers and funding to the Peninsula.”
As the Government has set out an expectation that deeper devolution can only be accessed
Crossing Lives project receives big grant from Historic England
A project which explores the lives of Tamar Bridge toll booth workers has received a major grant from Everyday Heritage.
Crossing Lives is one of five projects in the South West to receive Historic England funding under its Everyday Heritage scheme. It has received a grant of £19,200.
Crossing Lives is a social history and photography project that explores the lives of the toll booth workers who have been at the heart of the Tamar Bridge since its construction in 1961.
Fotonow, the Plymouth-based social enterprise exploring visual culture, will collaborate with the Bridging the Tamar Visitor and Learning Centre to shine a spotlight on the unsung toll staff who have maintained the crossing and collected payments for generations.
The project will produce a series of powerful images while the community helps capture oral histories, working with current and former toll booth workers to share their personal experiences. These stories and images will be showcased in a large-scale public exhibition along the bridge.
The project will preserve these stories for future generations, using the bridge as a metaphor for connection between Devon and Cornwall, while celebrating the working-class individuals who keep it moving.
Fotonow’s creative director Matt Pontin, said: “We’re so excited to receive Historic England’s support to explore and celebrate the untold stories of the Tamar Bridge toll booth workers. These individuals have been the face of this iconic structure for generations, playing a vital but often overlooked role in connecting our communities across Devon and Cornwall.
“The project represents a unique opportunity to capture an important piece of local history before it’s lost, while creating meaningful connections between the people who’ve kept the bridge running and the communities they’ve served.”
by establishing strategic authorities with a democratically elected mayor that represent a combined population of at least 1.5 million, councillors agreed that the only sensible ambition is to create of a large, strategic authority covering the geography of Cornwall, Devon, Plymouth and Torbay.
In addition, the Government makes clear that all smaller unitary councils, need to look at how they can sustainably survive and have the scope to grow and thrive.
Councillors therefore also agreed to consider options for expanding the city footprint.
As Plymouth has a population of 268,000, members also agreed that the council should develop options to look at how the council can be sufficient in scale to more efficiently deliver services, without losing its unique character.
Benefits
Councillor Evans added:
“The benefits of a combined authority across the South West Peninsula are obvious. Whilst Plymouth, Devon, Torbay and Cornwall are different places with our own cultures and identities, we also share distinct geographic characteristics, have clearly established economic connections, share existing public service boundaries, and of course already work together closely across a number of major programmes.
“We want to make the peninsula a thriving region whose unique interests are heard and understood by central government.
“By coming together to form a strategic authority we would have a combined population of 1.8 million residents, giving us a seat at the grown-up’s table where we make sure the voice of all of
“It is right that powers move away from Westminster and decisions sit locally –with those that have the knowledge of their own areas to make change that will really make a difference to people’s lives.”
Tudor Evans, Leader Plymouth City Council
our communities is heard. We will be able to access additional powers from central government, streamline local decisionmaking, and unlock significant opportunities for our residents and businesses.
“In short, a Peninsula Strategic Authority covering the geographies of Cornwall, Devon, Torbay and Plymouth represents a once in a generation opportunity for regeneration and renewal.
Options
“At the same time, we need to look at strengthening Plymouth City Council’s own position –making us of a sufficient size and scale to be able to sustainably delivery local services for local people in the future.
“Over the next couple of months, it is right that we will have to look at all the options that will enable us to increase our geographical footprint to be able to meet the expected government criteria.”
Meanwhile, the leader of Cornwall Council says the county must not be tied in with Devon in any future devolution arrangement.
Councillor Linda Taylor was commenting on the government’s English Devolution white paper, external which some have labelled ‘a grim day for Cornwall.’
All political groups on the council and the county’s MPs want the government to treat Cornwall as a standalone authority because of its national minority status and unique economic and social situation.
The government has previously made it clear it would prefer to see Cornwall in a devolved authority with Devon or as part of a greater South West region.
• Petition calling for Referendum on Democratically Elected Mayor lodged - see page 10
Tamar Bridge toll booths and visitor centre
Photo: Fotonow-CIC
Elfordleigh Golf Club captain swings into action to raise funds for special charity
Elfordleigh Golf Club captain Neil Wharton has spearheaded a year of fundraising for a charity that was specially close to his heart.
Neil said: “After becoming captain of the golf club at the start of 2024, I knew immediately which charity I would choose. My grandson was stillborn on July 27 2011 and SANDS - Stillborn and Neonatal Death Charity – helped my family with our loss so it was an easy decision to make as to which charity I would choose to support for my year as captain.”
He said he wanted to raise as much as possible and had a target in mind that he knew would make a massive difference to SANDS and the families it supports.
At the end of his year as captain the magnificent total of £20,000 had been raised and Neil had the pleasure of handing over the bumper cheque to Yvonne from SANDS at the club’s at the club’s annual meeting in January.
Neil said: “We started out our fundraising by putting charity tins on the bar with players and guests incurring fines if club rules were broken. It was probably the fullest swear jars you’d ever seen!”
The annual Captain’s Day in June raised a huge amount and set the tone for the rest of the year.
Neil added: “We had amazing prizes donated by local businesses which allowed us to have a fantastic raffle draw that afternoon. We had local businesses sponsor the holes meaning the day could go ahead without a
MASSIVE
hitch. I would personally like to thank James at JAPP Transmission Services, Adam at AJL Groundworks, Tom at Carpets Direct, Liam at Elite Carpentry and D&P Reinforcementsalong with our golf members and their family and friends.”
The club’s annual charity ball is usually held in the winter but in 2024 it was held on July 27, which would have been his grandson’s 13th birthday. The ball was held outside in the car park with Joey & The Lips performing and
PLYMSTOCK LITTER
PICK NETS OVER 200 BAGS
Litter pickers from Plympton, Plymstock, Keyham, Devonport and the South Hams teamed up with Clean our Patch to converge on Plymstock for a massive clean up of litter on Saturday February 1.
A total of 25 people each spent around four hours carrying out the early spring clean of the area. In total 235 bags of litter were picked during the pick and three litter pickers collected a further three bags on their way home, bringing the final total to a whopping 238 bags!
A spokesperson for Clean our Patch said: “It was a heart-warming example of an amazing group of people coming together to make a real difference to the community. There were many great and joyful conversations and friendships being built. It was an amazing day and everyone involved should be so proud of the time, effort and heart they have put into making this area better for the community and environment.” (Story courtesy of the Plympton Podcast)
the Elfordleigh Hotel providing a hog roast. Neil said: “Again we raised a huge amount and again our sponsor Japp Transmission played a major role in the success of the night. Our members, sponsors, and my friends and family who have all gone above and beyond to support not only the charity but me personally.
“Without all of this support the magnificent amount raised would not have been achievable. So a huge thank you to everyone.”
NEARLY 20,000 CHILDREN ACROSS PRIMARY SCHOOLS IN PLYMOUTH TO BENEFIT FROM FREE BREAKFAST CLUBS
Nearly 20,000 children across Plymouth to benefit from the Government’s free breakfast clubs, so every child can get the best start to the day, giving working families more flexibility and saving parents up to £450 per year.
Families in Plymouth will soon be able to access quality before-school childcare as the government pushes forward with the Children’s Wellbeing & Schools Bill to roll out free breakfast clubs across the country.
New research shows that 19,961 in Plymouth could benefit from free breakfast clubs, with the government’s Children’s and Wellbeing & Schools Bill now making its way through Parliament.
Ministers have kick-started the programme through an early adopter scheme, with applications having opened in November 2024 and rollout being delivered from April 2025. Funding was provided in the Budget to fix the foundations and deliver change, which tripled investment in breakfast clubs to over £33 million.
Luke Pollard MP, Member of Parliament for Plymouth Sutton, and Devonport said: “Breakfast clubs are a win win. They give every child a meal before school
and provide parents more flexibility and opportunity for childcare. We all know a great breakfast leads to a better day. Which is why I am proud that this government is tripling this funding so every child in the UK has the best start to their morning, making them happy, healthier and ready to learn.
”By delivering free breakfast clubs for every primary school pupil in Plymouth we are ensuring that no child has to learn on an empty belly. Enabling them to better focus on the classroom and promotes all round wellbeing.”
Fred Thomas MP, Member of Parliament for Plymouth Moor View said:
“This is a general election promise that this Labour Government is delivering on, and it will make a huge difference to children and families right across the city. Too many children go to school with an empty stomach, and this will ensure that no child in our city starts their school day hungry.
“Not only will this significant funding ensure that every child can have the best start to their morning, it will provide parents with much needed childcare in the morning and contribute to better outcomes at school for all children across Plymouth.”
Trevi appoints new chief exec to succeed Hannah Shead
Trevi, Plymouth’s award-winning leading women’s and children’s charity, has appointed a new chief executive to take over from Hannah Shead later this year.
Amanda Greenwood was previously chief executive of Lancashire Women and brings extensive experience, a deep understanding of the third sector, and a steadfast commitment to advocating for women.
She has spent the majority of her career championing social justice and supporting women and children in communities with a specific focus on women at Lancashire Women.
Over the years, Amanda has taken on numerous leadership roles at local, regional, and national levels, earning widespread recognition for her dedication to social change.
Her dynamic leadership and proven ability to drive meaningful change make her uniquely positioned to lead Trevi in its next chapter of growth and service.
Amanda said: “I am really delighted to be joining such an amazing and dynamic organisation and to be working with everyone at Trevi, the wider community, partners and supporters.”
Following the announcement of Hannah Shead’s departure from the charity, Board of Trustees chair Gina Connelly expressed their gratitude to Hannah for her years of transformative leadership and their excitement for Amanda Greenwood’s future contributions.
She said: “On behalf of the Board of Trustees, I want to extend our heartfelt thanks to Hannah Shead for her exceptional service to Trevi. Under her leadership, Trevi has flourished, and her tireless dedication to our women and their families has positively impacted countless lives.
“While we are sad to see her step down, we are equally excited to welcome Amanda Greenwood. Amanda’s passion, vision, and expertise align perfectly with Trevi’s values, and we are confident she will build on Hannah’s incredible legacy.”
Amanda will officially take the helm in mid-March 2025, following a transition period during which she will work closely with Hannah.
Amanda Greenwood
Neil Wharton presents the bumper cheque to Yvonne from SANDS
New display at The Box highlights Windrush legacy in South West
A new display now on show at The Box is exploring Plymouth’s little-known links to the migration of people from the Caribbean throughout the mid-1900s.
Windrush in the Far South West is the outcome of an 18-month research project developed in conjunction with members of Culture Club, a group of six people who have been working with The Box to discover and unpack new narratives in its collections. The project has been supported by a National Lottery Community Fund grant.
Their research has revealed that scores of ships came through Plymouth, with at least 28,000 people from the Caribbean disembarking at Millbay Docks between 1948 and 1960.
Some of these continued on to places such as London, Bristol, Manchester and Birmingham where they became nurses, engineers, bus conductors and more.
Others remained here in the South West – setting up home in towns and cities like Plymouth, Torquay, Exeter and Truro. A number of their descendants still live here and work as DJs, foster carers, youth workers, chefs and in the armed forces.
Daryl Codrington, Culture Club member said: “So many people came to this country from the Caribbean in the mid1900s to support its post-war rebuilding, but conversations about the Windrush generation tend to focus on places in the South East or North.
“We knew that Millbay was a really busy port at one point, so there just had to be a story about the South West too. It’s been such an interesting process recording people’s stories and researching archival records over the last year and a half.
“We hope the combination of historic and contemporary stories and images that we’ve pulled together will provide a fascinating insight into this little-known history.”
Visitors to The Box can see the display on show in the Bridge Gallery on its first floor. The display features objects related to those who originally migrated to Britain, such as a travel bag, a waybill, a ship’s brochure and photographs from their time in the Caribbean.
The display also celebrates their descendants who are now living in the far south west through objects, photography and film.
Windrush in the Far South West runs until May 5. Opening hours are 10am5pm Tuesday-Sunday and selected bank holidays (not including Easter Sunday). Entry is free and there’s no need to book.
Big success for City College Skills Builder programme
City College Plymouth’s Skills Builder project, funded by the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, continues to make a significant impact on individuals and the local economy.
The transformative programme has not only exceeded key targets but has also demonstrated the positive impact of tailored skills development and workforce training.
Since its launch, Skills Builder has supported 180 participants, with 142 individuals who were socially excluded. It has also enabled 158 participants to access basic skills and helped 112 to engage in job-searching activities.
Through strategic partnerships with local employers in the city, the programme has empowered participants to reach meaningful milestones and better understand employer expectations to get them ready for the workplace.
Livewell Southwest has supported 21 people by offering work experience, career guidance, and shadowing opportunities across the healthcare field.
Meanwhile, Plymouth Argyle Community Trust has successfully delivered a number of employability courses to help individuals build the skills needed to re-enter the workforce - particularly those facing long-term unemployment or health barriers.
As a result, 106 participants have become more familiar with what employers expect, and over 95 have reported increased employability through these collaborative efforts.
Local community organisation Plymouth Active Leisure has also joined forces with the programme to tackle health and mobility barriers to employment. By providing gym and swim memberships, as well as personal training sessions, they help individuals across the city who see their health as an obstacle build both physical and mental resilience - an essential step toward achieving sustainable employment.
One standout moment of the programme was the Get Hired event, hosted in collaboration with Plymouth Argyle Community Trust. This innovative initiative featured ‘speed-dating’ style interviews with local employers, providing participants with a safe and supportive environment to practice networking, improve interview techniques, and connect with potential employers in high-demand sectors.
Participants shared that the event was a ‘game-changer’ with one participant, stating how ‘being able to meet these employers in a more relaxed environment really boosted my confidence and helped me hone my interviewing skills. I left feeling much more prepared and ready to
start looking for work.’ Included in its commitment to community support, the Skills Builder programme also integrates a Level 3 Certificate in Social Prescribing. This certification empowers individuals by offering non-medical, personalised care pathways that connect them with community-based services to improve their health and wellbeing.
In January 2025, a new cohort of students successfully graduated from the course, celebrating their achievements in a ceremony at the college.
Pauline Hands, executive of Health, Leisure and Public Services at the college said: “Through the Skills Builder programme, we have seen firsthand the transformative power of targeted skills development in breaking down barriers to employment and boosting confidence.
“Supporting these individuals, including those facing social exclusion, and helping participants actively engage in job-searching are achievements that align with our vision of learning without limits. These numbers reflect our commitment to transforming futures by creating clear pathways into meaningful employment and responding to the evolving needs of our community.
“This initiative represents lives changed, futures unlocked, and a stronger, more inclusive workforce that contributes to Plymouth’s economic and social prosperity.”
Feedback from participants has been overwhelmingly positive, with many sharing how Skills Builder helped them overcome barriers to employment, build confidence, and develop practical, in-demand skills. Employers have also praised the programme for directly addressing workforce gaps in critical industries such as healthcare, digital, and construction.
“Our partnership with City College Plymouth, through the Skills Builder programme, has allowed us to successfully deliver essential digital skills to those who need them most,” said Jabo Butera, managing director of the Diversity Business Incubator.
Petition calling for referendum on Democratically Elected Mayor is lodged with Plymouth City Council
The campaign to see Plymouth vote for a democratically elected mayor has taken a big step forward.
Organisers needed just under 9,700 signatures to require the City Council to hold a referendum on the election of a mayor and have now secured 13,250 signatures. The petition was lodged with the Electoral Services Officer at midday on January 14.
Founder of the YesDemPlymouth campaign
Angus Forbes said that his supporters wanted to see Plymouth’s current governance structure reformed to introduce direct democracy enabling Plymouth residents to directly elect its own leader.
The campaign was launched just over six months ago by Angus, a former banker and stockbroker who is the husband of Strictly Come Dancing judge Dame Darcy Bussell. The couple live in Plymouth and Darcy is currently chair of the board of trustees of Theatre Royal Plymouth.
He maintained that the current governance model had failed the city and its residents, particularly in the areas of economic growth,
population growth and poverty levels.
He said: “Over the last 25 years since Plymouth became a unitary authority, 30 per cent of the population has remained in poverty as defined by the ONS index of deprivation. Violence against Women and Girls represents 28 per cent of violent crime in the city, compared with a national average of 17 per cent. We rank the worst of all English cities for third generation poverty, the worst for night time economy, recently the worst for ambulance queues and almost the worst city for business density and business start-ups.
He added: “With respect to the Government’s White Paper on English devolution: At the time of submission, the DEM campaign team are mindful of the Government’s desire for material change in local governance structures across England, and their ambition for a SW Peninsula Mayoral Strategic Authority (SW PMSA) with a directly elected mayor, indicating their support of direct democracy.
“In light of the fact that three or four Unitary Authorities for Devon and Cornwall sitting
“ At Jabulani Plymouth CIC in Stonehouse we foster a supportive environment, built through shared meals, communal experiences, and a strong sense of community, where participants can grow both personally and professionally.
“By focusing on individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds who face barriers to traditional employment, we ensure everyone has the opportunity to enhance their skills and be part of something bigger.”
For more information about the life-changing opportunities available, visit www.cityplym.ac.uk/skills-builder
under the new SW PMSA structure may well be where the situation settles, with one of these being a materially expanded Plymouth Unitary Authority, we hope that in future the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister and the new legislation is consistent in permitting the citizens of Plymouth to also directly elect their leader.”
Angus Forbes with the petition
Social Prescribing graduates at a ceremony held at City College Plymouth
Work on Derriford’s new A&E to start this year after Government green light
Work one the new Emergency Care Building at Derriford Hospital is expected to start in the summer after the Government announced its updated New Hospital Programme on January 20.
The new state-of-the-art facility will replace Derriford’s current Emergency Department, which is not fit for purpose, by creating space to care in a modern healthcare environment that our community has long required.
Plans for an improved Emergency Care Building for the south west peninsula’s major trauma centre have been in the pipeline for several years with a huge amount of hard work and dedication from everyone involved, as well as strong support from the local community, including cross party support from local MPs.
Future Hospital director Stuart Windsor said: “This is a milestone announcement for patients and staff at University Hospitals Plymouth and we could not be more delighted with today’s news.
“I want to thank all our partners and advocates who have worked so hard to campaign for this much needed facility for our loved ones here in the south west and the New Hospital Programme for recognising what a difference this project will make to the safe care of patients at their time of greatest need.
This area will provide nearly twice the capacity of the current facility.
Once the new building opens, the old Emergency Department will be converted into a new dedicated children’s facility, which will provide the right space to care for the full range of patients and their families and carers. The second floor of the new building will be devoted to Same Day Emergency Care. This floor will see and treat patients where hospital treatment is absolutely needed, but where ongoing care is best provided in the community. The area will also have a new short stay area, and facilities for our frailest patients.
The third floor will provide four new state of the art operating theatres that allow diagnosis and treatment to be carried out whilst guided by modern imaging techniques. This is critical to the Trust’s role as the Major Trauma Centre, for neurosurgery and the treatment of stroke.
“The local population is unique in comparison to some other areas of the country which are better connected by infrastructure and access to healthcare. We are so excited about the changes we will be able to make because of this significant investment into our estate – which is the next step in our vision for improved healthcare facilities at our hospital and in our community.
“Finally, I want to thank all the teams involved and their dedication to get us to this stage. We have been waiting a long time for this assurance and I know that we are all committed to getting spades in the ground to deliver the new Emergency Care Building and welcoming our first patients through the doors.”
Dr Ian McCarthy, Emergency Medicine Consultant, said: “The current emergency medicine facilities are approaching 50 years old and don’t represent what we want to do for our patients. We want to look after our patients in modern emergency facilities to be able to provide modern emergency medicine. This is going to be transformational for the people of the south west in terms of what we can provide for them and how we can look after them.”
Contractors are already working on the demolition of existing areas to make way for the new building. Construction is expected to start in earnest in early summer 2025 with an anticipated completion date of autumn 2028 for the new building, and summer 2029 for the Children’s Emergency Department that follows.
The new Emergency Care Building will span four floors, and will provide a step change in terms of clinical accommodation. The ground floor of the new building will allow patients to be assessed quickly on arrival and then treated in the most appropriate area.
The ground floor will also provide the space where our sickest patients are treated and will have access to the full range of diagnostic imaging needed.
Freedom of the City for ‘Nance’ and former MPs
Plymouth Argyle’s popular first team coach Kevin ‘Nance’ Nancekivell has been awarded the Freedom of the City by Plymouth City Council along with former MPs Sir Gary Streeter and Linda Gilroy.
The fourth and final floor will be home to five new operating theatres for emergency and planned surgery. The new building will link into the existing Derriford Hospital, providing easy access to the full range of medical, surgical and specialists wards.
Alongside the new Emergency Care Building, the new Dartmoor Building is also currently under construction and is due to be completed Spring 2025. This is a critical step in allowing the construction of the new Emergency Care Building to take place and will provide a new Urgent Treatment Centre and Fracture Clinic, alongside a new Outpatient facility.
News of the go-ahead for the Derriford Emergency Care Building has been welcomed by Plymouth’s three MPs.
Fred Thomas, MP for Plymouth Moor View, said: “Ever since I was elected as an MP, I’ve been fighting hard for a new emergency department at Derriford. I know how much people rely on Derriford, and how hard the staff work in challenging circumstances. I’m thrilled that the Government have listened to us and decided to give Derriford the new A&E it needs. I will continue working with the Government to make sure this is delivered as quickly as possible.”
Luke Pollard, MP for Plymouth Sutton and Devonport, said: “This is excellent news for Plymouth. I have fought tooth and nail for a new emergency department at Derriford since I was elected. The Conservatives left the future of Derriford up in the air. Unforgivably, they promised us an emergency department without setting aside the money to build it. On behalf of staff and patients, I am delighted that we are in wave one of the government’s hospital programme and have the green light to get on with construction.”
Rebecca Smith, MP for South West Devon, said: “I am pleased after playing politics with our NHS for six months, the Government has finally relented and agreed to honour its manifesto commitment to fund Derriford’s new A&E I have campaigned relentlessly to save the project since elected; this is a huge win for Plymouth and the surrounding area.
“We cannot tackle NHS wait times without first getting a grip on the queue of ambulances outside of Derriford’s A&E. It never should have been delayed in the first place, and I urge the Government to now work at pace to make up for lost time.”
Kevin played non-league football for Bideford Town and Tiverton Town before getting his chance with Argyle at the age of 28. Retiring from playing in 2004, Kevin began a coaching journey that saw him rise through various roles with Argyle’s Centres of Excellence and Academy.
In 2011, new Argyle manager Carl Fletcher asked Nancekivell to join his first-team coaching staff, and when Fletcher left in 2013 Kevin, along with Romain Larrieu, took temporary charge of the team.
It was the first of five times where Nance has taken caretaker charge of Argyle, either solo or as a unit, typically with strong results.
Kevin said: “I’m incredibly honoured to receive the Freedom of the City award. Plymouth has been a huge part of my life, and it’s a privilege to represent this great city through football.
“To be recognised in this way is truly humbling but it wouldn’t have been possible with the support and dedication of my family, colleagues, teammates and of course Argyle supporters.”
Sir Gary Streeter had a career in politics spanning over 30 years, starting his involvement with politics in 1986.
Gary was MP for Plymouth Sutton from 1992 to 1997 when the boundaries changed, and subsequently elevated to the whip’s office. He was also then promoted to Minister in the Lord Chancellor’s department in 1996 to 1997.
Gary was re-elected as MP for South West Devon, and became Vice Chairman of the Conservative party in 2001 to 2002, and Member of Parliament for South West Devon from 1997 to 2024.
Gary said: “It is a great honour to be granted the freedom of such a great city. It has been an absolute privilege to serve so many Plymouth residents for over 30 years as their member of parliament. I am very grateful to the city council for bestowing such an honour upon me.”
Linda started her journey in Plymouth politics in 1987, when she was elected as the secretary to the Plymouth Drake Constituency Labour Party and was elected chairwoman of the Cornwall Labour Party for four years from 1990.
Linda was the MP for Plymouth Sutton for 13 years from 1997 until 2010. In parliament she was a member of the European legislation select committee from 1997 until the 2001 General Election when she was appointed Minister of State for Local and Regional Government. From 2005 to 2010 she served on the Defence Select Committee and as Parliamentary Private Secretary to the Science Minister.
Lord Mayor of Plymouth, Tina Tuohy added: “I am pleased to present the award to Gary, Kevin and Linda for their achievements in the service of Plymouth, and in recognition of their outstanding leadership, contributions to the public and the Plymouth communities.
“This is why we have chosen to grant Freedom of the City to them today.”
Plymstock councillor is appointed to champion city-wide poverty issues
A new Cabinet champion has been appointed to support work to address poverty and raise the living standards of people in Plymouth.
Councillor Maria Lawson, who represents Plymstock Dunstone, is the council’s new Building Bridges to Opportunity champion and is supporting Cllr Chris Penberthy, Cabinet member for Housing, Cooperative Development and Communities in work that builds on partnership work to address poverty across the city.
Councillor Lawson will help champion the Building Bridges to Opportunity programme, which aims to embed work to tackle poverty and the causes of poverty in city plans and strategies to ensure Plymouth is a city where people:
• Don’t fall into poverty
• Experience less harm from poverty
• Can lift themselves out of poverty
The programme, which builds on the work by partners in Plymouth to support residents during the cost of living crisis, has a wider focus and acknowledges that poverty impacts residents of all ages.
Councillor Chris Penberthy, Cabinet Member for Housing, Cooperative Development and Communities, said: “I am delighted to have Councillor Lawson’s experience and drive on board to support and champion this vital work.
“We came together with organisations across the city to respond to cost of living crisis but we now need to take a longerterm approach to tackling the root causes of poverty and ensuring that people in Plymouth are empowered to lift themselves out of poverty.
“There’s a huge amount to do but I am confident that with Cllr Lawson supporting and the strong partnership network across the city, we can make a real difference in ensuring all residents in Plymouth have the opportunity to thrive.”
Councillor Lawson said: “This is an issue I am truly passionate about and I’m looking forward to working alongside Cllr Penberthy to champion work to address poverty and build opportunities for all residents in Plymouth.
“I know that there’s some excellent work already taking place but we are keen to listen to those most impacted and to identify any gaps in services or potential problems that need to be addressed.”
Councillor Lawson has also been appointed as the Vice-Chair of the cross-party Cabinet Advisory Committee on Child Poverty, which has also agreed to act as a reference group for the development of the Building Bridges to Opportunity activity.
Councillor Lawson joins a number of Cabinet champions who have been appointed to support Cabinet members in delivering critical priorities for the city. There are already champions in place supporting work to address Violence Against Women and Girls, Bus transport, Walking and Cycling, Welcoming City and Veterans.
Plans for urgent dental care centre in city are unveiled
Plymouth city centre is to get a facility where aspiring dentists and dental therapists will treat patients in urgent need of dental care.
Peninsula Dental Social Enterprise (PDSE), a subsidiary of the University of Plymouth, has taken a 20-year lease on Plymouth City Council’s former First Stop Shop in New George Street.
Over the coming months, and subject to planning permission being granted, it will be revamped through a £5 million project and become home to the new Peninsula Dental Education Practice.
Two floors of the building will be remodelled into treatment and consultation spaces, complete with state-of-the-art equipment and facilities and employing sustainable practices such as digital dentistry.
Once complete, it will offer appointments and an oral surgery service. This will enable up to 16 final-year students from the University’s Peninsula Dental School to work alongside specialists and other qualified clinicians to provide urgent care to patients who do not have a regular NHS dentist and have presented with pain, infection and trauma.
The new practice will go some way to filling the huge demand for dental care in Plymouth, with long waiting lists across all NHS providers and a lack of practitioners to meet the demand.
Professor Robert Witton, PDSE chief executive and Professor of Community Dentistry at the university, said: “We are proud of our record of providing first class clinical experience to our undergraduates in a community setting by treating thousands of patients who otherwise would not receive NHS treatment, but we know there is an urgent need for more dental care services.
It will also provide a fundamentally different teaching experience to the current facilities by expanding clinical teaching in a setting that simulates a real dental practice as opposed to a large teaching facility.
Plymouth University vice-chancellor Professor Richard Davies, added: “As well as providing students with the skills and confidence to succeed, a huge part of our focus is on helping them thrive once they graduate. Practical experience is particularly important for our trainee dentists and dental therapists, and this clinic – at the heart of our city and community – has the added benefit of providing a real and much-needed service to society. It is a win-win for everyone involved.”
PDSE is a member of the Plymouth Dental Taskforce, which was created in 2023 in response to the local crisis in dentistry. The Council-led taskforce is cross-party and includes representatives from local health organisations as well as the city’s three MPs.
“That is particularly the case here in the South West, and this new clinic –our fifth in Devon and Cornwall – could be a real game-changer. It will provide our students with hands-on experience that bridges the gap between their training and going into practice. It could also transform the lives of the extra people we are able to treat, with the real possibility that many of them have been waiting months or even years to see a dentist.”
PDSE, as the university’s student clinical placement provider, currently operates from four clinics across Devon and Cornwall, with two in Plymouth and one each in Truro and Exeter.
Within those clinics, more than 430 students on the University’s Dental Surgery and Dental Therapy programmes work alongside experienced staff to hone their skills, and in the past year, they provided well over 35,000 appointments to almost 6,500 patients.
Those facilities are already running at capacity, with the new practice enabling more students to learn the skills they will need to succeed in their careers.
Councillor Mary Aspinall, Cabinet Member for Health and Adult Social Care and chair of the Plymouth Dental Taskforce, said: “Delivering a new dental facility in the city centre has been a key priority for the Dental Taskforce, and we’re pleased to have been able to offer our support to help PDSE reach this crucial stage.
“As a council, we constantly review our properties to make sure they’re providing value to our residents and helping us deliver our priorities. We have been working closely with PDSE to help identify the ideal location for this new practice and are really pleased to have now handed over the keys to the building so they can move forward with the next steps.
“With tens of thousands of people in Plymouth unable to access NHS dental healthcare, the work of PDSE is so important – not only by providing dental treatment but also training the future generation of dental professionals.”
Luke Pollard MP, Member of Parliament for Plymouth Sutton and Devonport and also a member of the Plymouth Dental Taskforce, said: “A new city centre dental clinic will be transformative for Plymouth. It also reinforces the health village I have been campaigning for with more health services on the high street.”
Since it was established in 2013, PDSE has earned numerous regional and national accolades, most recently winning the Community-Based Social Enterprise of the Year category at the UK Social Enterprise Awards. Its work in the community has also been integral in enabling the university to retain its position as the UK’s best place to study dentistry for the past two years, according to the Guardian University Guide. The University also won the Outstanding Contribution to the Local Community category at the Times Higher Education Awards 2023.
New boat festival to launch in Plymouth
A new boat show is being launched in Plymouth in 2025.
Plymouth Boat Fest will be held at Plymouth Yacht Haven in Mount Batten on Saturday June 21.
The event will bring together maritime enthusiasts, families, and the local community for a day of nautical fun and exploration, as well as showcasing the region’s maritime heritage and marine services.
The festival will feature a variety of boats, yachts, innovative watercraft, and traditional vessels. Attendees will have the opportunity to board the vessels, meet industry experts, and learn about the latest advancements in boat technology and marine services.
The family-oriented event is also designed to entertain children with activities and live demonstrations.
There will be local food and drink stalls, alongside entertainment ranging from live music to water sports displays.
Yacht Haven manager Steve Cox, speaking about the inspiration behind the event, noted that the South West lacked a regional show, despite having a strong
workforce and heritage.
“We want to create a festival that blends community engagement with an impressive showcase of maritime offerings from companies based in and around Britain’s Ocean City, Plymouth.”
The event is free to attend, with parking and additional amenities available at the Yacht Haven and surrounding public car parks.
A number of exhibitors are already onboard including The Island Trust, Plymouth RNLI Lifeboats, Devon and Cornwall Police Divers, Hemisphere Rigging, The Paddlesport Company, and Ancasta Boat Sales, as well as autonomous boat vessel demonstrations from Thales and Fugro.
“We invite marine companies from across the West Country to get in touch to showcase their boats, their products, and their staff, and help make Plymouth Boat Fest a celebration for all-things boating,” added Steve.
For more information visit www. yachthavens.com/ plymouthboatfest
Maria Lawson
A mockup showing how the new Peninsula Dental Education Practice in Plymouth city centre will look when complete (Credit University of Plymouth)
Plympton Academy students visit the Houses of Parliament
Twenty-one sixth form students from Plympton Academy had the fantastic opportunity to visit the Houses of Parliament as part of the ’Learn with the Lords’ day.
They were among 400 other pupils from across the UK who took part in the event.
After an insightful tour – including standing in the House of Lords and observing a session in the Commons – students took part in a unique Q&A with six Lords.
The Earl of Lytton, Baroness Garden of Frognal, Baroness Barron, Lord Hannah, Baroness Penn and Baroness Bower answered thought-provoking questions on education, climate change, arts funding, and more. It was an unforgettable experience, and the students represented the sixth form and school brilliantly.
Student Lucy Thorn reported on the trip. She said:”The House of Lords was a spectacular sight. Its rich red and gold decor is designed to reflect its status, making it clear why it is considered more luxurious than the House of Commons. Though it appeared smaller than it seems on television, the intricate gold detailing on the throne and walls
gave it a taste of power and tradition.
“We then moved to the House of Commons, where we were lucky enough to witness a live debate from the public gallery. A glass wall separated us from the MPs, but we could clearly hear the discussions taking place. Seeing democracy in action made us appreciate how crucial these debates are in shaping the country’s laws and politics.
“Beyond the impressive rooms and historic
artefacts, one of the most inspiring moments of the day was meeting Lords and Baronesses. They answered our questions about the future of politics and shared advice on how young people can engage in shaping the country’s future.
“The trip gave us a new appreciation for the UK’s political system, from the grand traditions to the debates shaping our future. It was a day filled with history, learning and inspiration - one that we won’t forget.”
POSITIVE NEWS FOR BUS TRAVELLERS
There has been a double dose of positive news for Plympton bus travellers, both in terms of new routes and new vehicles, with Plymstock residents also set to benefit from some of the changes.
After lengthy campaigning by residents and politicians calling for the reinstatement of direct bus connectivity between Plympton and Plymstock and to incorporate bus travel to the new Park Crematorium at Saltram, funding has been secured to provide just that.
From Sunday March 30, the number 19 (which previously ran between the city centre and Merafield) will be reinstated and extended to serve Plymstock Broadway and Plympton Ridgeway.
The service will be operated by Stagecoach Southwest and will run roughly every 75 minutes from 9.30am to just after 5pm every day (except Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year’s Day).
The service 19 will also provide a connection to the new crematorium with buses stopping at this location once necessary infrastructure has been provided which is expected to be in the spring.
Service 19 will be contracted for one year as it is being fully funded through the Department for Transport’s 2025/2026 Bus
Grant. It is hoped that after the first year of operation passenger numbers will reach a level whereby the service can be sustained commercially by the bus operator in the longer term.
A second subsidised bus service will also provide a degree of connectivity between Plympton and Plymstock. The number 4 will be extended beyond Plymstock Broadway to serve Plympton Ridgeway via Sherford and Sandy Road, providing new links for workers at Langage and for pupils travelling to and from school.
This service will run hourly between 6am and 9.05pm from Monday to Friday, 7am and 9pm on Saturdays and 9am to 7pm on Sundays and bank holidays. It will operate every day (except Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year’s Day).
Changes are also being made to the service 200 Coypool Park and Ride. The frequency will be increased to every 15 minutes during the day but it will operate via Exeter Street Viaduct to Royal Parade and no longer serve Mayflower Street and Western Approach.
Councillor Mark Coker, Cabinet Member for Strategic Planning and Transport said: “We have received many requests for direct links between Plympton and Plymstock, given the growth of Sherford and the opening of the
Work on second phase of £45m Woolwell to The George scheme starting soon
Work on the first phase of the Woolwell to The George scheme is progressing well and preparations will soon be getting under way for the second phase.
Widening on Woolwell Road has been completed for the new shared pedestrian and cycle paths and significant underground utility diversions (including a large water main at Woolwell Crescent), has been carried out as well as widening works for the upcoming construction of the new junction.
Trees and vegetation along Tavistock Road next to Tesco have also been cleared in preparation for the new retaining wall and cycle track.
The westbound side of Woolwell Road is expected to reopen on February 10, following resurfacing and relining works.
The current signals at the junction of Woolwell Road and Woolwell Drive will remain in place until the surfacing work is complete. On occasions temporary signals will also be in operation on each arm of Towerfield Drive roundabout from 7pm through to 6am.
Pedestrians will be directed to use the footpaths on one side of Woolwell Road and the footpath to Tesco will be restricted overnight. Arrangements will be changed on February 9, ready for traffic to start using the new layout the following day. The no right turn from Tavistock Road into Woolwell Road (at Woolwell Roundabout) will remain in place to ensure southbound traffic can keep flowing. All vehicles, except for emergency vehicles and buses travelling northbound, will continue to take the short diversion via Belliver Roundabout.
new crematorium. We have listened to our residents and I am delighted we have been able to provide these links. We now need passengers to make use of these services to ensure their long-term future.”
The representations about better transport links between Plympton, Plymstock, Sherford and the Park Crematorium included a petition which amassed over 750 signatures.
Councillor Kevin Sproston, the city’s bus champion, remarked: “It’s great that services currently supported by the council are able to continue and that new links to education, employment, shopping and leisure facilities are being introduced, enabling residents to be better connected to the places they need to visit.”
News of the new routes has been supplemented by an announcement that the service 21 and 21A between Chaddlewood and St Budeaux will be allocated brand new state of the art buses when a new electric fleet arrives in Plymouth later this year.
Fifty zero-emission electric double-decker buses will be coming to Plymouth as part of a major £31.87 million joint investment in the city’s public transport. The new buses will have extra space for wheelchairs/pushchairs and new on-board audio-visual functions. (See separate story on page 20).
A camera has been installed at the roundabout to enforce this restriction, as monitoring by the project team and reports from the public have shown it is being frequently ignored. Drivers are reminded that entering the bus lane risks a penalty charge notice of £70.
Tavistock Road will be reduced to one lane in each direction between Woolwell Roundabout and Woolwell Crescent but, with no traffic exiting from Woolwell Crescent, this is not expected to result in significant disruption.
Initial preparations for the second phase of the scheme were also due to get under way at the end of January.
The Woolwell to The George scheme has been in the pipeline for many years. It will tackle one of Plymouth’s worst traffic bottlenecks and is a vital part of the programme to provide better links to and from the north of Plymouth as it grows.
In the coming years around 4,400 new homes are planned in the north of the city – including 2,000 new homes at the Woolwell Urban Extension. This and other developments, such as the new district shopping centre in Derriford, will see an increased amount of traffic along this route.
The whole scheme will cost £45 million, which includes £24.9 million in UK Government funding to support delivery of these vital improvements.
More information, including traffic management plans and FAQs, can be found at www.plymouth.gov.uk/wttg.
Students chatting with Baroness Penn Photo copyright House of Lords/Roger Harris
Politics in focus. Students chatting with Baroness Barran Photo copyright House of Lords/Roger Harris
We have seen big wins for South West Devon in the past month. The Government have finally honoured their manifesto commitment to build Derriford’s new Emergency Care Unit after a hard-fought campaign.
Representations to Plymouth City Council have helped secure a new bus service to Plympton and Plymstock, linking to the new crematorium. And whilst Lloyds have dealt a blow to the Broadway in Plymstock with the closure of their branch, it may unblock the option for a new banking hub/post office, something
New bus link
boost
I’ve been fighting for for years. I will be working hard in the weeks and months ahead to see each of these key projects delivered.
Putting aside these headline grabbers, I strongly believe that delivering casework wins for constituents is the most important work of an MP. On Friday March 14 I’m hosting a Plymstock surgery, providing you with the opportunity to discuss any important personal issues you have faceto-face.
I can only do this all this with the support of my dedicated team on the
communities
Plympton and Plymstock
I have been pushing hard for a bus link between Plympton and Plymstock, with a local survey, meeting with local bus company chiefs and senior council leaders about improving connectivity between these two key communities and linking to the new crematorium.
Therefore I am so pleased that the council have listened to my representations and announced that a new bus link, which will also serve the new crematorium, will be funded from the spring.
Many people living in Plympton and Plymstock shop, visit family and access key services across both towns. This new route will make this easier.
Driving transport investment in our region is a key priority. I will continue to lobby the Government locally and nationally for our fair share.
Call for ‘banking hub’ in Plymstock
In January I raised the closure of Plymstock’s Post Office with a Department for Business and Trade Minister, asking what he is doing to ensure that sustainable, joint Post Office and banking services can replace closing branches.
The closure of Lloyds’ Plymstock branch, announced on January 29, removes the last cashpoint in the centre of Plymstock and makes the absence of its Post Office even more concerning.
Iam grateful for the Minister’s constructive
CAMPAIGNERS
response, offering to challenge the Post Office on its closure in Plymstock. I followed this up by speaking in a debate about Post Offices. Looking ahead, I will be launching a local campaign to push for the provision of essential in-person cash and banking services in Plymstock.
Visiting action-packed Chaddlewood Farm Community Centre
Last month I met with Hannah and Alan from Chaddlewood Farm Community Centre as well as Lin and Carol-Ann from Rediscover Church Plympton, hearing about all the amazing work being done in our community. There is so much going on at the Community Centre including, baby and toddler group, Tiny Stars Rediscover Church Plympton on Tuesdays, a new antenatal group, Begin Well, Veterans Thursdays and a parenting support group. Plus, it’s available for hire too.
Congratulations are in order for Hannah and the team who have recently secured £18,000 of funding from the Community Lottery to help with expanding the work of the centre.
Meeting
students and staff at Plympton Academy
I recently visited Plympton Academy and was met by four friendly members of Year 7 –Eloise, Luke, Erin and Samriddha. I also met Julie, Finley, Jack and Mason.
The visit started with a chance for them to
STEP UP CALLS FOR BUS SHELTER TO BE REINSTATED
Residents in Plymstock who have been calling for a bus shelter to be reinstated for nearly a year are appealing for support from the community.
The bus shelter on the east side of the Lidl store at Plymstock Broadway was removed leaving passengers exposed to the elements while waiting for their bus to arrive.
Susan Morgan, one of the people leading the campaign, said: “The bus stop is in a very exposed area, open to severe cold, wind and rain. Lots of elderly and infirm people need buses to get to appointments and they often end up getting soaked and freezing while they wait.
“Many disabled people with mobility aids and OAPs are very vulnerable in this situation.” She said that since the Winter Fuel Allowance was stopped many elderly people need to get to warm places such as community centres, libraries and churches. “The trouble is that there is potentially no benefit in this as coming out in all weathers to wait without a bus shelter could lead to them getting a chill and end up being a burden to the NHS.”
Campaigners are calling on those affected to contact local Plymstock councillors and Rebecca Smith MP and make their views known. Susan added: “This is a very desperate situation and we want as many people as possible to highlight the problem so that Plymouth City Council will take action.”
Rebecca’s Review
Rebecca Smith MP for South West Devon and Ward Councillor for Plymstock Radford with updates on supporting constituents
ground in the constituency, turning around more than 1,000 pieces of casework already! If you’d like to book a surgery or just share your concerns over email, please
do get in touch at rebecca.smith.mp@ parliament.uk Read on to hear about my work for our area in a bit more detail!
tell me what it’s like being a new pupil at the school and to ask me some questions – the highlight being whether or not I had met the King!
They also shared some of the very exciting things they are all involved with including
the upcoming production of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory which I was delighted to be able to attend, netball and learning to cook.
For the rest of the visit, new headteacher, Mr Willis, proudly showed me round the school and shared the work he has been doing since he started to place a real focus on community in and around the school.
As a member of that community, I was delighted to find out more, meet students, teachers and support staff and see their excellent facilities myself.
The school is on an improvement journey, but it felt really positive today and I’m looking forward to working with Mr Willis, his students and his team to support them over the coming years.
As ever, you can book a surgery appointment or get in touch via email: rebecca.smith. mp@ parliament.uk or call the office on 01752 335666. Visit my website or Facebook for more information: www. rebecca-smith.org.uk and fb.com/SWDevonRebecca
Rebecca pictured with pupils at Plympton Academy
Rebecca pictured with members of the team at Chaddlewood Farm Community Centre
St Luke’s calls time on its Plympton coffee shop
The community has reacted with sadness to the closure of the b.kinda coffee shop in St Stephen’s Place which was operated by St Luke’s Hospice.
The coffee shop opened in October 2023 as a new type of venture for St Luke’s and was part of the charity’s mission to establish additional, sustainable income streams alongside their retail shops and fundraising, with profits from the coffee shop going to support St Luke’s end of life care work. This project followed on from the b.kinda mystery online clothing box enterprise launched a year previously.
Just over fifteen months on from the coffee shop’s launch, time has been called on the venture and the premises has now permanently closed as a coffee shop.
In a statement St Luke’s said: “Unfortunately, financial challenges, including large and rising overheads, have made it challenging to make the coffee shop commercially successful, in spite of all the hard work and dedication of its staff and the loyal support of local customers.”
St Luke’s chief executive George Lillie added: “Walk past the coffee shop and you would see what looks like a busy and thriving establishment, but behind the scenes the impact of heavy overheads has been taking its toll. When you add in the additional pressures of increased employer National Insurance contributions and the rise in National Minimum Wage, sadly we feel unable to continue operating the business.
“We are so grateful to the staff who put their hearts into trying to make the coffee shop a success. They did such a fantastic job of creating a friendly and welcoming space where members of the local community really felt at home, and that’s what makes this decision such a tough one.
“Rest assured that we will be making every effort to offer alternative roles within St Luke’s for the coffee shop’s contracted staff.”
The coffee shop premises are set in due course to become the new home for St Luke’s retail presence in Plympton and their current shop, around the corner on Ridgeway, will be let out to another retailer.
He added: “With the majority of our funding coming from the
local community, we need to raise millions of pounds every year to support St Luke’s end of life services.
“Like many other charities, we are always seeking sustainable income generation opportunities outside the traditional streams of fundraising and retail. We had hoped that branching out into the
coffee shop market would be a profitable enterprise. Sadly this has not been the case. For the time being, in terms of income generation, we will be focusing on retail and the continuing growth of our successful local charity shops, as well as both established and new fundraising initiatives.” (Story courtesy of the Plympton Podcast)
STANNATOR NOMINEES ANNOUNCED
Two candidates have come forward to be considered as the next Stannator of Plympton. They are Catherine Loft and Peter Leigh.
Mrs Loft who has a background in nursing is a founder member and leader of the Plympton Litter Pickers. She has also been involved in raising money for the Chestnut Appeal and the Primrose Unit at Derriford Hospital.
Mr Leigh is a retired dockyard worker and has lived in Plympton since 1969. He has been heavily involved in the Scouting movement over the years and has been presented with the Chief
Beware of scams
We’re all at risk of scams so follow this advice from Trading Standards to help keep yourself safe.
Scams are getting more common and criminals are getting better at tricking people into giving away money and personal details.
Some of the biggest scams recently include:
l Investment scams - people are persuaded to hand over money in the belief that they will make a big return. In reality their money is stolen.
l WhatsApp ‘Hey Mum’ scams - a scammer sends a message pretending to be the recipient’s child, asking them to send money urgently.
l Ticket scams - people hand over money for tickets to events, then never receive the tickets.
l Delivery scams - you get a text or email saying a parcel couldn’t be delivered. You’re then asked to click a link to pay a fee for redelivery, enabling the fraudsters to steal your personal and financial information.
The best way to protect yourself from scams is to learn how to spot them. Here are some common signs of a scam:
l Someone you don’t know contacts you unexpectedly.
Scout’s commendation for service to Scouting. He is also an active member of Plympton St Mary’s Church and has held the positions of church warden, youth leader and served on the Parochial Church Council.
Groups who are members of the Plympton Community Council will be holding meetings over coming weeks to decide who they wish to vote for and a formal election will be held at the AGM of Plympton Community Council on March 28 when the successful candidate will be announced.
(Story courtesy of the Plympton Podcast)
l The correspondence uses a generic greeting and/or contains spelling errors.
l You’re asked to transfer money quickly.
l You feel like you have to act urgently.
l You’re asked to pay in an unusual way, for example with iTunes vouchers.
l Someone asks for your personal information like passwords or your PIN number.
What to do if
you’ve been scammed
l If you feel threatened or unsafe, call the police immediately on 999
l Contact the Citizens Advice Consumer Helpline on 0808 223 1133 or visit www.citizensadvice.org.uk
l Ignore further contact from the scammer but keep a record of it so you can report it.
l Report the scam to your bank by calling 159 so they can protect your account and to ask if you can get your money back.
l Reset online passwords including for your email.
l Talk to someone you trust about what to do.
Council leaders consider budget spending for 2025/2026
A draft budget for 2025/26 that protects hundreds of council services despite serious ongoing costs pressures in social care services was considered by Plymouth City Council’s Cabinet on January 13.
The draft budget is the culmination of months of hard work to stabilise the council’s finances as it continues to face significant financial challenges due to cost and demand pressures for statutory services that provide care the elderly, support vulnerable adults and children, provide temporary accommodation for homeless families and deliver home to school transport for vulnerable children. These services account for around three quarters of the council’s total revenue spend.
The report to Cabinet said the draft budget allocated growth in those areas that protect the most vulnerable in the city. It also allocates additional money to support key services that residents say should be priorities, including adequate funding to repair potholes and cutting grass.
While the budget assumes £13.4m savings will be achieved, around half of these are management actions, such a deleting vacant posts and the release of budgets that had not been fully spent.
The council’s ongoing work to reduce cost pressures in social care services and balance the books has been helped by the latest Government’s funding settlement. This included a £6.5 million new recovery grant, a new £1.4 million children’s social care prevention grant and a £5.2 million increase in social care grant.
The report said the draft budget built on the recently agreed medium term financial strategy that guides work to stabilise the council’s finances in the face on serious escalating cost and demand pressings, while also enabling it to remain ambitious in delivering its vision and objectives for the city.
The report also detailed a £395.8 million five-year capital programme that is funded through grants, borrowing, contributions from developers and sales of assets. It that allocates £65.9 million for schemes to deliver a net zero Plymouth, £47.7 million to delivering a sustainable city centre and waterfront, £40.7 to deliver a sustainable Derriford/northern corridor, £30 million for sustainable homes for the city and £97m for delivering a sustainable economy.
Council Leader Tudor Evans said: “Once again, it has been very difficult journey to get us from the position we faced a few months ago when we were facing a significant gap in the resources we needed to enable us to continue delivering more than 300 council services, to one where we can recommend a balanced budget for next year that will enable us to continue delivering the priorities for Plymouth.
“The Government’s settlement was more positive than we have been used to in recent years and we are pleased it has committed to supporting local authorities in addressing the systemic issues in social care that have been taking councils close to the brink.
“We know there are no instant solutions though and we will need to continue to work hard to manage the rising costs and demand in children’s social care placements, homelessness, SEND provision and home to school transport.”
The draft budget is due to be considered by scrutiny later in January and a final budget is set to be agreed by the Full Council on February 24.
Police reflect on positive results following proactive work in city during 2024
Policing teams in Plymouth have looked back at what was both a challenging but proactive year in 2024.
From handling an unexploded World War Two device, to carrying out complex police operations that cut through county lines gangs, the teams have done much to help make the city safer.
Chief Superintendent Scott Bradley, who leads the police teams in Plymouth, said: “Reflecting on our work during 2024 has been really positive. We’ve taken many steps to make our communities safer and deter criminals from operating within the city.
“However, it’s important that we acknowledge that policing the area over the last year has not been without its challenges. Our teams faced a number of significant incidents which understandably sent ripples through our communities. I don’t underestimate the impact this had on people - it was a tough year for many. But one take away for me is how inspiring it was to see communities pulling together to support one another during these times.
“I certainly know there is more for the police to do – we aren’t where we want to be yet and there are still improvements that both myself as the Commander and members of the public want to see moving forward.
“Communities are telling us they want to see more police on the streets, they want their reports to be handled quickly and effectively, and action taken against criminals.
“As we move into the beginning of 2025, I want the public to know our commitments to them as a police force; that we want our police officers to be visible within communities, we will respond quickly to emergency calls for help, reports will be taken seriously, and we will proactively pursue criminals who aim to cause harm. Knowing that the public have confidence that we will keep them safe is a priority to us.
“Together, we can make Plymouth a safer place to live, work and visit. To do so, it’s important that people report crime and incidents to us and engage with officers to share their concerns. Whilst we can’t be everywhere at all times, communities can help us create a clear picture of what’s happening in the city when we’re not there. This isn’t something the police can achieve alone –we need the support of communities to make a difference.”
Some of the successes that have taken place in Plymouth includes the introduction of the specialist neighbourhood support team and much work to tackle drugs in the city. Specialist team conducts high-visibility foot patrols
Plymouth’s Neighbourhood Support Team (NST) was introduced in January last year. They work in communities to tackle specific short- and long-term problems affecting local people; this can include issues such as spikes in antisocial behaviour, shoplifting and other crime affecting communities.
The NST worked across a number of neighbourhoods, carrying out over 1,000 hours of high-visibility foot patrols. Their work resulted in 50 people being arrested for a variety of offences including violence and drugs. Among numerous achievements, they were also responsible for the
seizure of £20,000 worth of drugs and an arrest of an individual suspected of supplying drugs to young people under the age of 18.
Ch. Supt Bradley commented on their achievements: “There is no doubt about the positive impact that the NST has had on the safety of communities. I know their additional presence has provided reassurance to the public and enabled us to build positive relationships with neighbourhoods, leading to a number of people, including those who wouldn’t normally come forward to the police, reporting information about crime.”
Over 12,000 emergency calls for help attended
Overall, police teams in the city responded to over 12,500 emergency calls for help in 2024, averaging over 1,000 per month. Patrol officers are often the first to attend these calls for assistance from members of the public.
“We’ve seen an improvement in the time it takes for officers to arrive on scene after receiving a 999 call from the public - it’s a clear step in the right direction. Getting there quickly remains an absolute priority for us and there will continue to be a focus on improving our attendance times in 2025,” commented Ch. Supt Bradley.
“Our frontline officers are vital in our effort to keep the public safe. They work every day running head-on into emergency situations where people are experiencing frightening and often life-threatening situations. They attend these calls knowing very little about the situation they’re going to be faced with – their dedication and commitment to keeping people safe from harm is evident in all that they do.”
Proactive county lines work results in 42 arrests
In June last year, a joint two-day operation with Merseyside Police took place to tackle county lines. County lines is the name given to drug dealing where organised criminal groups (OCGs) use phone lines to move and supply drugs, usually from cities into smaller towns and rural areas. They exploit vulnerable people, including children and those with mental health or addiction issues, by recruiting them to distribute the drugs.
The activity led to the arrest of 42 suspects, recovery of ten dangerous weapons and the seizure of drugs with an estimated street value
of £35,000. In addition, £9,500 in cash was seized, and eleven vehicles and two Rolex watches. Over 300 intelligence submissions about county lines activity were also submitted to police.
Ch. Supt Bradley shares the importance of this unpredictable targeted work: “This was a significant success for us. We were able to remove harmful substances and weapons from our streets, creating a substantial disruption to people looking to deal drugs in our city. Work will continue throughout 2025 to pursue and target offenders linked with county lines and the broader supply of controlled drugs.”
Deterring criminals from Plymouth
“Investigating crime that has happened or is happening is a large part of our work. However, a huge element of what we do involves preventionstopping crimes from happening in the first place,” Ch. Supt Bradley commented.
“Prevention and education work is carried out by our neighbourhood police teams, which are the officers you usually see on foot patrol, at community events and engaging with businesses. They work closely in communities alongside partner agencies to problem solve long-term issues, pursue prolific criminals and deter people from illegal activity.
“Tracking the crimes that haven’t happened as a result of the work carried out by our neighbourhood officers is hard to quantify. From the feedback we receive, I know their presence was felt across the streets of Plymouth. Their role played a key part in making the public feel safe.
“Proactive work to deter and disrupt criminals from operating in Plymouth will continue throughout 2025, using a variety of unpredictable and effective tactics.”
Ch. Supt Bradley reflected on the overall positive impact policing teams have had in 2024: “Looking back at the work that took place last year is inspiring. I am proud of what each and every police team has been able to achieve together. Their drive, commitment and bravery to keep our communities safe is truly evident.
“We wouldn’t have been able to achieve this without the support of the public, and indeed our partner agencies across the city, so thank you to each of you.”
“I’ll end where I started, with an acceptance that there is always more to do. Please help us keep the city safe as we enter 2025, and beyond.”
Plymouth’s Neighbourhood Support team
Plymstock Post
Good news on the buses
Update from Cllr John Stephens for Plymstock Dunstone
There has been lots of good news concerning moving about in the Plymstock Dunstone and Radford wards recently, topped by the announcement that new bus services will soon run between Plymstock Broadway, Sherford and Plympton Ridgeway.
Plymstock’s Labour councillors have made ongoing representations to Plymouth City Council over the past two years and when meeting weekly with Cllr Mark Coker, the Cabinet member responsible for bus services, I have been able to share our message loud and clear on behalf of local people. I am pleased Rebecca Smith MP has also raised this issue. These new services have been possible because of the new Labour government’s record funding of £4.5 million to help improve bus services in Plymouth.
The new services will link Plymstock and Plympton including stopping at The Park Crematorium, and Plymstock, Sherford, Langage and The Ridgeway in Plympton. These return services, along with existing ones, will benefit shift workers, school children, shoppers and, in fact, everyone to get around the city and contribute to fewer cars on the road. Route details and timetables will be made public as soon as all necessary processes, including installing bus stop infrastructure at The Park Crematorium, have been completed.
As a result of an increase in bus passenger numbers, and welcome financial support from Plymouth City Council, the evening bus services to and from Saltash/Mountbatten will also be retained after March. Like all bus services, it is vital that people use it or lose it.
Other good news is that the final stage of the Sherford Road traffic-calming project will start
mid-February to the middle of April. This will improve the junction lay-out with Gemini Road, create an off-road cycle and walkway at the unpavemented section to link Elburton and Sherford, add a direction priority section at a narrow section of the road, a dropped-kerb crossing point and a mini roundabout. After several delays, I am glad this will bring about safer active travel and a reminder to all drivers to drive considerably along this road.
Work will start this year to continue the Laira Bridge to Sherford off-road cycle link under Colesdown Hill bridge onto the Elburton Road cycle lanes. The creation of a pedestrian and cycle controlled crossing on Elburton Road near the motorcycle showroom will benefit residents’ and cyclists’ safety. Discussions continue about plans to make a better off-road cycle and walking route between Elburton and Brixton.
Residents in Staddiscombe may have noticed the preliminary stage of works to add a dropped kerb crossing from one side of Staddiscombe Road into The Staddy car park and also onto the nearby bus stop where a hard standing will be installed to bring an end to muddy feet for bus passengers using this stop! This is a measure originally raised by residents and will be paid from Dunstone Councillors’ Living Streets grant.
And finally, it has been good to relay residents’ appreciation that PCC’s Street Services Team has increased the regularity of sweeping paths, pavements and roadsides of autumn and winter debris. And yes, I know, there are still areas that could do with a sweep too!
As always, my fellow Plymstock colleagues and I, are grateful to residents who report concerns and appreciation to Plymouth City Council and to ourselves.
Update from Cllr Stefan Krizanac for Plymstock Dunstone
I am being kept very busy as usual with the day-to-day work of councillors - potholes, street lights, planning and many other issues are just a sample of things we deal with on our residents’ behalf on a regular basis.
I really enjoy this role and it was brought home to me just how much last year when I had a health scare. I was rushed to the Emergency Department at Derriford Hospital. I had to wait for some time to be admitted onto a hospital ward, which I know will have been the experience of many of you and your families.
The media locally and nationally were reporting on the A&E crisis in the NHS and Derriford was one of the hospitals frequently in the spotlight. This year two fantastic Plymouth MPs, Fred Thomas and Luke Pollard, delivered on their promise to get the investment we need to rebuild our Emergency Department. I am so proud of these two hard-working men, securing millions of pounds of investment needed.
Fred Thomas had invited Health Secretary Wes Streeting, to visit Derriford to see first hand the challenges doctors, nurses and paramedics were facing while caring for people across Plymouth, Devon and Cornwall.
I’m grateful that I got the care I needed which means I get to carry on being your councillor and am fit for the future. Now it’s time for our Emergency Department to get the same.
Update from Cllr Daniel Steel for Plymstock Radford
There is a worrying increase in the number of young people in Plymouth vaping and addicted to nicotine.
The Tobacco and Vapes Bill currently going through Parliament is a world leading piece of legislation. Given we know around one in ten young people in Plymouth use vapes, as far as I am concerned, this Bill cannot come soon enough.
I welcome the government’s ambitious plans to bring about a smoke-free generation by banning the sale of tobacco to anyone born on or after January 1 2009 and to introduce new restrictions to reduce the appeal of vaping to young people.
Some will argue there is nothing that can be done. That young people will always get their hands on vapes even though under-18’s can’t legally buy them. I strongly disagree with this hand wringing and defeatism. We should all rightly be proud of Plymouth’s innovative work with local schools and other citywide partners to tackle harmful vaping at schools.
We have made real progress, but we can, and we must go further.
That is why I introduced a Motion on Notice at the recent Full Council meeting to call on Ministers to introduce the new tobacco and vape rules as soon as possible (pictured here).
But my message at Full Council could not be clearer. We do not have to wait to act locally. I am calling on local businesses to act now to voluntarily end the sale of vapes on shop floors.
This would mean vapes would be behind the counter just like cigarettes have been for many years. By keeping vape products out of sight and out of the hands of young people, we can help stop them getting hooked on nicotine.
I am pleased to report my motion received unanimous support from all Councillors. This sends an unmistakable message; Plymouth will continue to be at the forefront of the fight to protect young people’s health.
Update from Cllr Maria Lawson for Plymstock Dunstone
I feel passionately that as elected councillors, we should strive to make a difference in the ward in which we serve and to the city of Plymouth. We have been fortunate recently that some of our aspirations and hopes have come to fruition. There is always more to do. Sometimes the small changes we make can have a big impact.
As the deputy chair of the Child Poverty Committee, I was shocked to hear that there are approximately 1,600 households in Plymouth who are entitled to free school meals and are not claiming them.
This affects approximately 2,600 children. As well as missing out on a free, nutritional hot lunch every school day, these families will also be missing out on additional support available throughout the school holidays. Schools are also missing out on Pupil Premium grants associated with free school meals. There is a simple fix to this; to move to an automatic enrolment when families meet the criteria.
To make this change I submitted a motion on notice at the Full Council Meeting on January 27 (see picture) calling for Plymouth City Council to:
• Write to Bridget Phillipson MP, Secretary of State for Education and Liz Kendall MP, Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, requesting that.
• Auto-enrolment for free school meals be added to the anticipated Children’s Wellbeing Bill
• Local education authorities are given the powers necessary to obtain and exchange the information necessary to identify and register all children eligible for free school meals.
• For Plymouth City Council to review the schemes put in place by some other local authorities and consider adopting an opt-out system for 2025/26, in the event that a national scheme has not been delivered.
The motion was carried unanimously demonstrating that Plymouth City Council is committed to reducing child poverty and this change will inevitably have a positive impact on the 16.3% of Plymouth children living in poverty.
Calling all hikers! Can you help raise £50,000 funds for Children’s Hospice South West?
Children’s Hospice South West (CHSW) is calling for people in Plymouth to lace up their walking boots and take on the Incredible Hike in May.
Incredible Hike takes place from Friday May 16 to Sunday May 18 and covers 60 miles along the South West Coast Path from Westward Ho! to the legendary Tintagel.
The registration fee covers the cost of the event support, hotel stays, food and hike apparel. All hikers will also receive an Incredible Hike t-shirt, buff, training plans, kit list, pit stops with snacks and drinks, all bag transfers, finishers’ medal, and bubbly.
Kate Romo, event organiser for CHSW said: “This is the second year of Incredible Hike, taking on another section of the stunning South West Coast Path. This year we are starting our hike in the
popular coastal village of Westward Ho! with stunning cliff top views from the very start, walking to Titchberry where we will be rewarded with incredible views out to Lundy Island.
“On Day 2 our hikers will continue on their journey walking from Titchberry to Bude where the Coast Path climbs above the rocky shoreline, past beautiful natural waterfalls, secluded combes, crossing river valleys heading into Bude for a well deserved rest.
“Finally on Day 3 our hikers will take on the last section finishing in magical Tintagel where there are plenty of opportunities along the way for wildlife watching from the cliff tops such as spotting grey seals and enchanting castle ruins in Tintagel.”
Kate added: “It offers a challenge to hikers of all abilities, but a good level of fitness is essential for the event in May as each day we will be walking around 20 miles for up to nine hours a day, with plenty of hills and potentially rough terrain.”
CHSW is hoping to raise £50,000 from the event to provide care and support for babies, children, and young people with life-limiting conditions across the South West.
For more information on how to register visit www.chsw.org.uk/hike
CAREERS FAIR SUCCESS
Over 600 students from Tor Bridge High, have taken part in the school’s annual Careers Fair, demonstrating impressive levels of ambition as they explored a wide range of career, college, and university opportunities.
The event, which featured 27 stands from employers, colleges, and universities, was a resounding success and provided students with valuable insight into the future possibilities available to them.
From medicine and dentistry to animal care, the arts, and engineering, students had the chance to discover diverse career pathways. They actively engaged with professionals and asked insightful questions such as, ‘What GCSE options should I take to pursue a career in this industry?’
‘How do I get to University?’ and ‘What qualifications and salary can I expect in this field?’
Employers were particularly impressed by the students’ enthusiasm, politeness, and the depth of their questions. Many
Popular Fit & Fed returns
Thousands of children in Plymouth will once again enjoy healthy lunches and activities at free ‘Fit and Fed’ holiday clubs this year.
Plymouth City Council has welcomed the confirmation of funding from the Department for Education’s Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) programme for 2025, which means the popular Fit and Fed programme will return during the Easter, summer and Christmas holidays.
The HAF programme aims to support families with children that receive benefits-related free school meals.
Eligible children and young people are given the opportunity to get active, try new activities and enjoy healthy, nutritious meals at free clubs during the school holidays.
In 2024, more than 30,000 holiday club places were provided to children aged between 5 and 16 years old with a huge range of activities on offer including football, dance and water sports.
More than 1,000 ‘Teen Taster’ activity sessions were also offered specifically to teenagers, with activities including trampolining, bowling, go karting and
adventure golf. At Christmas, new family activities were also offered with 700 activity sessions for parents and carers to enjoy with their children for free, which included ice skating, swimming sessions and trips to the National Marine Aquarium.
Each summer, Fit and Fed goes on tour to parks and green spaces across the city to provide free fun days that are open to all families. Last year 2,750 healthy lunches were handed out at the four events, which also saw a number of local organisations provide advice on a huge range of topics including road safety, dental hygiene, healthy relationships and the cost of living.
Councillor Sue Dann, Cabinet Member for Customer Services, Sport, Leisure and HR and OD, said: “Fit and Fed is an incredibly important programme and we’re delighted to have received confirmation that the funding will continue this year because it offers vital support to families throughout the school holidays. Not only do children and young people receive a healthy lunch, they’re also given the opportunity to get
physically active, meet new friends and make special memories and we know that this all has a hugely positive impact.”
One parent of a child who attended a Fit and Fed club last year commented: ‘I am extremely grateful that my daughter was given this opportunity. It has certainly helped to grow her confidence and selfesteem.’
Louise Kelley, head of Active Wellbeing and Sport at Plymouth Active Leisure, welcomed the news. She said: “This funding makes a really difference to families in Plymouth. We are all aware of the ongoing challenges many families in the city face with the cost of living, so having access to fun, enjoyable activities in a safe and supported environment is essential.”
More information about this year’s Fit and Fed programme will be shared on the council’s website later this year: www. plymouth.gov.uk/fit-and-fed.
If any organisation or holiday club provider would like be involved in Fit and Fed this year, please contact the Active Lifestyles team at Plymouth Active on getactive@plymouthactive.co.uk
OUTPATIENT DIABETES SERVICE TRANSFORMS CARE FOR PATIENTS
commented on how well-informed the students were already, and how they were clearly thinking critically about their future careers.
Tor Bridge High believes that effective careers education, information, advice, and guidance is essential for raising aspirations and keeping students engaged in their learning.
Their careers programme aligns with the government’s careers strategy, providing support through a qualified Careers Practitioner and a variety of activities designed to guide and motivate students towards career success.
Tracy Stephenson, headteacher at Tor Bridge High said: “I couldn’t be more proud of our students for their professionalism and engagement at this year’s Careers Fair. Their questions were thoughtful and showed a genuine desire to understand the opportunities available to them. It’s incredible to see them take such an active role in shaping their futures, and we are committed to supporting them to reach their goals.”
Linda Hall, 74, from Plymouth, is living proof of the transformative impact of personalised patient care.
After years of struggling with her health and mobility as a diabetic, Linda’s life turned a corner thanks to the support of the Planned Diabetes Service at University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust (UHP) and the expertise and dedication of Diabetes Specialist Nurse (DSN) Carolyn Folds.
Linda first encountered the team when her blood sugar levels soared to 30. Linda had until then avoided the invitation to attend her GP’s diabetic clinic. “I thought I was invincible,” she said. It was then that she encountered the service and came into Carolyn’s care.
“She’s my saviour,” added Linda.
“Carolyn taught me how to understand my diabetes and manage it day-to-day. She explained what to eat, what to avoid, and how to recognise when my levels were up. Now, it’s no extras, no naughtiness!”
Carolyn’s expertise and compassion helped Linda through some of her toughest times. Persistent issues with high blood sugar levels delayed her desperately needed hip operation multiple times.
“The pain was so intense, I’d cry,” Linda said. “At times like that, I’d call Carolyn.
Linda Hall
She calmed me down, talked me through it, and gave me advice on what to eat. But my levels kept going up, and every time I went to pre-op, they said it was a UTI.”
But Carolyn knew it wasn’t a UTI, and advocating for her patient, Carolyn wrote to the consultant, explaining that the bacteria showing up in Linda’s tests was always present and should not prevent the surgery. Her persistence paid off.
“The consultant agreed I should have the operation, all because of Carolyn’s letter,” Linda said.
The surgery was a success, and the aftercare was exceptional. “I don’t know where I’d be without that hip operation. I was on the verge of serious depression. I’d had a seven-year period of agoraphobia where I didn’t leave the house. Thanks to the operation, I learned to drive again, and now I can visit my
daughter and go shopping. It’s given me my life back.”
Carolyn’s support didn’t stop there. After Linda’s second hip replacement, Carolyn called her weekly, providing encouragement and reassurance. “She kept me going,” Linda said. “Carolyn understands me and diabetics through and through. She’s amazing.”
Today, Linda continues to manage her diabetes with confidence, crediting the Planned Diabetes Service for the vital role it played. “The diabetes team is my everything,” she says.
For Carolyn Folds and her colleagues at UHP’s Planned Diabetes Service, Linda’s story is a testament to the value of personalised, holistic patient care. Derriford Hospital is one of the few in the country with a dedicated team of DSNs supporting patients with type 1 and type 2 diabetes through every stage of their planned surgery journey.
Thanks to the care she has received from Carolyn and the Planned Diabetes Service, Linda has reclaimed her independence and is importantly now able to better manage her own health. Find out more at www.plymouthhospitals.nhs.uk/ diabetesoutpatient-service
Lifelines
Sixty-two-year-old Mark Haydon has experienced many highs and lows, joy and despair over the years - and he blames himself for most of the dark days that he endured.
He grew up in Plymouth in a Christian family, his grandfather was a preacher and evangelist. Mark would listen to his grandfather preaching on The Hoe and attended Sunday School on a regular basis until his early teens when he drifted away from church.
In his 20s he was working in the Dockyard, had married and settled in Keyham with his wife, enjoyed a regular pint or two with his workmates and the occasional flutter on the horses.
That was until the age of 23 when his life was to change dramatically - for the first time. It was Christmas and with his love of horse racing he asked his parents if they could get him the autograph of the famous jockey Lester Piggott as a present.
They duly obliged, but being Christians themselves they also gave him a copy of a book by Brian Greenaway called ‘Hell’s Angel’ whose powerful testimony of his conversion to Christianity while in Dartmoor Prison had a profound effect on Mark.
“I couldn’t put the book down,” said Mark, “and it really made me think more and more about my own life and where I was heading.”
Extraordinary
Then an extraordinary event took place. His wife had gone out and he was sat alone in the front room of his home in Keyham when felt he needed to read the Bible. He opened it and a verse in the book of Revelation jumped out at him: “Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me.”
Mark’s bad choices led to his life spiralling out of control - but he found new hope through God’s love
two broken marriages.
Mark said: “At that moment I encountered God in a remarkable way sat there in my front room. I felt this overwhelming sense of peace and immediately broke down in tears. It lasted a good 30 to 45 minutes and I knew something awesome had happened.”
The next day he shared his experience with a dockyard colleague who was training to be a priest and he explained what had happened - that Mark had come to a personal faith in Jesus.
For the next six years Mark and his wife were on a real journey of faith as active members of a local church - and Mark even went on a mission with Brian Greenaway to the Isle of Man for the TT Races.
He and his wife then faced a challenge in their church life and again he drifted away from faith. Mark said: “Instead of turning to Jesus to help I turned away from Him.”
It led to a 20 year period where Mark pursued his own path, living a self-centred lifestyle. However, he enjoyed a successful career as a senior manager with Parcelforce as well as running his own football coaching school.
He had everything to live for, but Mark had by then developed a serious gambling habit as well as drinking heavily. He lost thousands of pounds on his gambling addiction and battled with his drinking.
The lifestyle he was following came at a cost. He was declared bankrupt, lost his job at Parcelforce, the football school closed and he went through
He reached his lowest ebb, living alone in a bedsit in Callington at the age of 50 with his life in ruins. One night when drunk he fell down a flight of stairs at the bedsit and ended up battered and bruised - but the fall actually knocked some sense into him.
“I looked in the mirror the next morning and realised what a fool I had been over the years. I
had hurt so many people and made so many bad choices and I knew it had to change. I remembered that encounter with Jesus when I was living in Keyham and I wanted that peace that passes all understanding again,” said Mark.
He later walked to the parish church in Callington and sat there alone in the empty building reflecting on his life and all the mistakes he had made. The following Sunday he decided he would go to church and as he walked through Callington a ‘sweet old lady in her 80s’ who was stood outside the Methodist Church invited him in.
Fresh start
“They all made me feel welcome and said they would be pleased to see me again,” said Mark. He returned to the Methodist Church the following Sunday and as it was the first service of the New Year the tradition was for people to be invited to make a fresh start and recommit their lives to Jesus.
“They offered communion as part of the service and I just had this overwhelming sense of God saying ‘I want you to come to my table and take communion.’ I initially resisted as I was worried I would fail God again. But when one of the church members invited me to go forward I just jumped out of my seat and took communion. I knew Jesus wanted me back and that He accepted me as I was.”
It was another big turning point in Mark’s life. He spent the next few days locked away in his bedsit reading the Bible and listening to Christian music. “I spent the time allowing God to cleanse me, change me and heal me,” added Mark.
For the next five years Mark was mentored by the local vicar and his wife, helping him to reestablish his faith and build the right foundations in his life.
“I was set free from all the things that had led to my downfall, including becoming clear of my addictions. I was also able to build bridges with people I had hurt and treated so badly because of my selfishness.”
Mark’s life took a positive turn when he met his current wife Zoe after meeting on a Christian dating site. He secured a job as a transport manager back in Plymouth and he and Zoe were married in August 2018.
Zoe is the youth pastor at Plymouth’s Methodist Central Hall, while Mark was appointed as lead manager at the Plymouth Foodbank in Stonehouse 18 months ago.
Mark said: “We may turn away from God - as I did – but He never turns his back on us. When we are faithless He remains faithful. No matter how many mistakes we may make He is waiting for us to come back to Him.”
Mark recently shared his story on Cross Rhythms radio which can be found by scanning the QR Code here.
Produced By:
Mark Haydon
Dial the Experts
&
service 01752 936125 07745 392764 jjmmdesign@yahoo.co.uk
www.jmdesign.org.uk
L D Building and Construction
Bricklaying, General Building, Garages, Patios, Extensions, Block/Brick Walls
Contact us for a FREE estimate. Mob: 07359797442 Email: ldbuildingandconstruction@gmail.com
MIKE QUICK BUILDING
DAMP BUSTERS
Banish
TOTALLY GUTTERED
Fleet of zero-emission electric buses coming to Plymouth
Fifty zero-emission electric double-decker buses will be coming to Plymouth this year as part of a major £31.87 million joint investment in the city’s public transport.
Plymouth Citybus, part of the Go-Ahead Group, will soon be replacing almost half its fleet with brand new electric doubledecker buses, in a collaboration with Plymouth City Council, Cornwall Council, and the Department for Transport.
The investment marks a significant step towards cleaner, greener public transport in Plymouth and reinforces the city’s commitment to innovation and sustainability. It will also create additional capacity and improve passenger experience across the network.
The new electric buses will operate on the 21/A, 42 and 50/51 routes in Plymouth, with six buses serving Cornwall’s Rame Peninsula on route 70.
The majority of the funding – £19.6 million – is being provided by Plymouth Citybus, supported by a £10.34 million grant from the Government’s Zero Emission Bus Regional Area (ZEBRA) 2 Fund and contributions from Plymouth City Council and Cornwall Council totalling £1.94 million.
The buses will start arriving in Plymouth in late spring, with the first 25 entering service in the summer and all 50 being out on the road by the end of the year.
Plymouth Citybus is transforming its Milehouse depot into a state-of the art hub equipped to charge and maintain the new zero-emission fleet.
Richard Stevens, managing director of Plymouth Citybus and Go Cornwall Bus said: “We are proud to lead the way in delivering cleaner, greener, and more sustainable public transport for Plymouth.
“The introduction of 50 zero-emission electric buses represents a huge step forward in our commitment to reducing emissions, improving air quality, and providing a modern, reliable service for our passengers. This investment not only reflects our dedication to the local community but also to a more sustainable future for our city.”
Councillor Mark Coker, Plymouth City Council’s Cabinet Member for Strategic Planning and Transport, said: “We’ve committed to making Plymouth a greener city, where everyone does their bit and this is exactly what our ZEBRA project delivers.
“It will help meet the vision of our Bus Service Improvement Plan, which is to create a thriving bus network where everyone can be connected to important people and places, by services that are frequent, reliable, fast, affordable, safe and clean, as well as help Plymouth to achieve its net zero goals by 2030.
“We are really excited to be working alongside our project partners to introduce these new buses to the city’s fleet.”
One of Plymouth City Council’s biggest office buildings has a new tenant as part of a deal to help the strategic development of Derriford Hospital and support vital health services in Plymouth.
From the beginning of February, the Community Phlebotomy Hub – which is blood testing – will be moving to a new home in Windsor House, on Tavistock Road, helping to free up space for clinical work within the main hospital campus.
Windsor House is owned by Plymouth City Council and has been vacant since last summer 2023.
As with all major organisations, the council has been adapting to the availability of new technology and working from home practices, instigated during the pandemic, which has radically reduced the need for office space.
The council constantly reviews its properties and assets to make sure they provide value in meeting the needs of our services to residents and helping us deliver priorities for the city. This involves both buying and selling properties.
Councillor Mark Lowry, Cabinet member for finance said: “We work closely with colleagues in the NHS and we are all too aware of the challenges the hospital faces. This move will help provide some muchneeded physical space for clinical work.
Health service to take over council’s Windsor House
“We constantly review our property portfolio to make the most of it for our residents and that includes working with others to address citywide health issues.”
John Stephens, director of Estates & Facilities at University Hospitals Plymouth said: “We are really pleased to be working with Plymouth City Council to move some of our services to Windsor House. Not only does this free up valuable space at Derriford for clinical services, it ensures this prominent and highly accessible property is utilised for the benefit of our patients and staff. ”
As the property has been empty for over a year, the council is currently carrying out some remedial work to make sure that the building is fit for occupation at the end of the month.
The service is currently at Futures Inn, but the Community Phelobotomy Hub will open at Windsor House from Monday February 3.
There is allocated parking for visitors at the front of the building, chargeable at the same rates as the Derriford Hospital main site.
One of the new electric buses
to Plymouth trades & services
S.G.F
Plastering & Decorating
Painting
07859 804389 stevefull@live.co.uk
Plastering
A.W ROOFING
Plumbing & Gas
Plymouth set to receive over £1.1 million to repair potholes
Plymouth is to receive an additional £1,175,000 to tackle potholes – the equivalent of filling in 16,261 potholes in 2025.
The Transport Secretary announced nearly £1.6 billion to fix potholes across England for next year helping councils fix the equivalent of seven million potholes and saving drivers hundreds of pounds in repairs
Across England, local highways authorities will receive a £500m uplift in funding as the Government looks to rebuild Britain as part of its Plan for Change. Fixing roads and filling potholes not only makes roads safer, but they also improve journey times and save drivers money from avoidable repairs.
It comes as figures from the RAC show drivers encounter an average of six potholes per mile in England and Wales, and the cost of pothole damage to vehicles is around £500 on average, with more severe repairs costing considerably more.
According to the AA, fixing potholes is a priority for 96 per cent of drivers. The public is also being encouraged to report potholes in their area to their local council through a dedicated website at www.gov. uk/report-pothole.
Welcoming the news, Plymouth City Council’s cabinet member for Transport Cllr Mark Coker, said:“People in Plymouth are tired of navigating the pothole epidemic that exploded under the Conservatives – but Labour is taking action. With
this new funding Plymouth City Council can fill in an additional 16,261 potholes next year – that will make a huge difference to local people every day of the year and build on the work we have been doing to fix more potholes more quickly since we took control of the council in 2023.
“Earlier this year this country voted for change. We voted for a government that would deliver on the things that matter to the everyday lives of working people – and that is what Labour is delivering. It will take time to turn this country around, but the work of change has begun, and next year we will see real evidence of that change on local streets as potholes get filled in and we get this country back on track.”
Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander said: “Potholes have plagued motorists for far too long, but this record investment will start to reverse a decade of decline on our country’s roads.
“Millions of people will have driven home for Christmas, but too many will have had to endure an obstacle course to reach their loved ones. Potholes damage cars, and make pedestrians and cyclists less safe. We are investing £1.6bn to fix up to seven million more potholes next year.
“This government is firmly on the side of drivers. Every area of England will get extra cash to tackle this problem once and for all. We have gone beyond our manifesto commitment to back motorists and help raise living standards in every part of the country.”
Taxifirst rebrands and launches new user-friendly app with fixed fares
Plymouth taxi provider Taxifirst, is rebranding to become Take Me Plymouth powered by Taxifirst. The change brings a modernised service while maintaining the reliable transportation Plymouth residents know and trust.
Customers can now enjoy the convenience of booking rides through a new, user-friendly app, while still having the option to call the original Taxifirst numbers.
Take Me Plymouth will continue its partnership with Tower Cabs, ensuring seamless coverage across the city. The rebrand also introduces fixed fares for journeys, giving customers clarity on costs before their ride begins, with only minor adjustments for unexpected traffic delays.
The development marks a new chapter for local taxi services, combining cutting-edge technology with the dependable, communityfocused service that residents appreciate.
By using the Take Me app customers can select their pickup and destination points, and a fixed mileage fare will be displayed instantly. The price is calculated based on the distance between the two points, with minimal adjustments for waiting time due to traffic or stops. Waiting time is charged at just 30p per minute when the vehicle is stationary. For example, if your estimated fare is £10 and there’s an additional five-minute delay in traffic, the final cost will be £11.50. You can also use the app to get price estimates for journeys in any city where Take Me operates.
The new arrangement coincides with the official launch of the Take Me national app. The new platform is set to transform how customers book and manage their taxi journeys, offering convenience, reliability, and exceptional service across 30+ locations nationwide.
The Take Me National App has been carefully designed with the user experience as a top priority. It smoothly integrates advanced technology with the dependable services of local taxi operators.
Roofing
Stairlifts &
Families and new parents in Plymouth to receive additional early years support from the government
Families and children in Plymouth will be able to access improved early years support such as pregnancy support, infant feeding advice, parenting classes and other support to give their child the best start in life, following a £126 million Government funding boost.
Plymouth City Council is expected to receive at least £1.25 million as part of the wider investment increase.
Children’s early years are crucial to their development, health and life chances. Antenatal classes, health visitors, parenting support, baby and toddler groups and access to affordable, high-quality early education and childcare – all are vital to guiding parents and supporting child development. Yet over 80% of parents have said they struggled to access services.
As part of Labour’s Plan for Change they have committed to strengthening and joining up family services to improve support through pregnancy and early childhood and improve long term outcomes for children - including through investment in Family Hubs and the Start for Life programme.
Fred Thomas, MP for Plymouth Moor View, said: “I am absolutely delighted that families and children here in Plymouth will be able to access improved early years support through this funding boost from the Government.
“This Labour government is committed to giving every child the best possible start in life, and this funding helps deliver on that commitment.
“This will make such a huge difference for so many families in our community and I know that the impact will be felt for years to come.”
Luke Pollard, MP for Plymouth Sutton and Devonport, said: “Every child in Plymouth deserves the best start to life. It is proven that if we prioritise their earliest years it helps set them up for better development, health and life chances.
“I am delighted that in our Plan For Change we’re committed to strengthening and joining up family services to help improve support from pregnancy to early childhood for the long-term benefit of children and families. After all it takes a village to raise a child.
“The £126 million funding boost nationwide will go such a long way in delivering for every child, family and care provider the information, support and services they need to close the opportunity gap and get children starting school ready to learn.”
Jemima Laing, Deputy Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Children’s Social Care, said:” I’m delighted at this announcement of funding for the continuation of the family hubs programme here in Plymouth. It will enable us to keep on investing in our Family Hubs across the city which are so vital in supporting our work to ensure that families get the help and support when they need it.”
First patients treated at Plymouth’s new neuro rehabilitation unit –and it’s a life-changing experience
People recovering from life-changing brain conditions and spinal cord injuries are now being supported in the new Plym Neuro Rehabilitation Unit in Plymouth.
The specialist facility at Mount Gould Local Care Centre, welcomes inpatients from across Devon and Cornwall to support them in targeted neurological rehabilitation under the guidance of therapy teams from Livewell Southwest.
The unit has recently moved from an old ward to a new bespoke facility, which opened in December 2024. It offers enhanced facilities which are designed to support the personal rehabilitation goals of service users.
Kay Rangasmy from Torquay was one of the first patients to transfer from the old site to the new unit. She lost all movement from the neck down due to Guillain-Barré syndrome, a rare condition that affects the nerves.
The former cook remembers: “Within a matter of days, life just changed because everything just stopped. I had been feeling ill for weeks and then my legs gave away and that is when I really started to panic. It was slowly going up my body and that is the nature of the illness that I have got which is Guillain-Barré syndrome.”
She was rushed to Torbay Hospital before being transferred to the former Plym Neuro site in August 2024 where she received specialist support for her condition.
Occupational therapist Gemma Howard said: “When Kay arrived on the ward, she had almost no movement at all in either of her upper or lower limbs and was relying entirely on other people to do absolutely everything for her.
“She has worked really hard in her rehabilitation journey to get to the point that she is now. She needs some support for her mobility when she is standing, but functionally she is really doing very, very well. It is a huge difference.”
Gemma worked with Kay on preparing her own meals in the new occupational therapy kitchen: “Not only is it an occupation that Kay likes to do, and she enjoys, we all need to be able to cook for ourselves and it was really important to her that she was able to do that before she goes home. Now we know that she can, and she was able to practice that in our
Patient Kay Rangasmy: “The energy and the effort they put into everything here is unbelievable. They know they are doing a good job, but they don’t realise how good.”
kitchen on the ward.
“I am so proud of her. I feel really lucky to work with patients like Kay, and to see the progress that they make. It is an amazing feeling.”
Kay said: “The new ward is wonderful. It is light, airy and modern with so much room to move around. Getting in the kitchen is bliss. It is my go-to place. The care you get when you are in there is amazing. The team are watching every move you are making to ensure you are not over stretching and then at the end of it, having a meal, which for me as a coeliac, is so good.
“The energy and the effort they put into everything here is unbelievable. They know they are doing a good job, but they don’t realise how good.”
Kay now plans to spend more time with her grandchildren, explore the southwest coastal path and travel to new places around the world. She said: “I just feel like you have got to live your life. You take it for granted that it is always going to be the same, and it may not be.”
Kay stayed in one of the seven single en-
suite rooms. They provide a greater level of privacy than the old unit and are all equipped with overhead hoisting facilities. There are also two bays of four-beds for people that may have enhanced care needs.
Therapy and treatment spaces feature both standard and wheelchair height kitchen work surfaces. This aims to enhance the independence of patients during their stay on the unit, ready for when they can return home. There is also a special room for those who are preparing to go home, which is fitted with basic kitchen facilities.
Matron Sally Stephenson explained: “Patients benefit from practising their independent living skills, in addition to the targeted therapy sessions. It can enable patients to prepare their own simple meals or share a meal they have prepared with their family, as they would at home.
“This is a much better environment, made to meet patients’ needs. For clinical teams, we have a great new space with the latest technology, to really help our patients on the next stage of their rehabilitation journey.”
The building project was a collaboration with Community Health Partnerships (CHP), NHS Property Services, Baxendale, ReSound Health and Nevada Construction.
Occupational therapist Gemma Howard
Matron Sally Stephenson
The new four-bay ward at Plym Neuro Rehabilitation Unit
The Plymouth Chronicle is excited to announce a collaboration with Argyle Life to provide regular Plymouth Argyle content from the perspective of the fans. We’ll be publishing regular pieces from Argyle Life contributors in print and via our website at www.plymouthchronicle.co.uk.
Our first article, written soon after the home game against West Bromwich Albion, is from lifelong Argyle fan and one of the founders of Argyle Life, Sam Down.
Argyle’s season so far...
As the transfer window slams shut, Argyle’s season so far has been undeniably a whirlwind to experience. We’ve veered from shock, to hope, to misery, briefly back to hope, firmly at misery again before the briefest flickering of hope once again started to emerge.
When we first appointed Wayne Rooney in the summer, the foremost reaction was one of shock. How could someone whose record was so bad possibly be the right choice, or one driven by data?
Denial became the fastest-growing coping mechanism around. Many fans, including me (I will freely admit), were encouraged by Rooney’s media work when he joined. His enthusiasm for the club and the area were far more stirring words than the stuffy cautious tones of his predecessor, Ian Foster, who somehow lead us to believe we were lucky to even be in the Championship!
Rooney also genuinely seemed to have an interesting idea of how he wanted the squad to work on a tactical level. New signing Ibrahim Cissoko looked a particularly exciting addition. All this positivity was bought back down to
earth with a nasty bump however, following the shambolic 4-0 loss away to Sheffield Wednesday on the opening day. The scoreline alone doesn’t reflect the extent of the dominance, Argyle hardly had a sniff from start to end.
The remainder of the run to the first international break was better, but not much better. A battling draw at QPR with 10 men was the only highlight, two turgid performances at home to Hull and Stoke didn’t set the juices flowing.
Then came the second phase of the season and inexplicably our best run of form against our toughest opponents. Surprising home wins with good performances against Sunderland, Luton and (especially) Blackburn. Narrow away losses at West Brom and Burnley rounded off a good month for the greens.
We then went into a theoretically much easier run in the hope that this could inspire a good run that took us up towards mid table...and it was a total debacle.
Teams had worked out how to cut off our passing lines and Rooney didn’t have the tactical acumen to counter act this. A long and frustrating run followed where we only won one in 20 league
games, late equalisers against Preston and Watford only serving to paper over the cracks.
The final five weeks of Rooney’s tenure were the worst yet. We had a 6-1 loss at Norwich, a 4-0 loss at Bristol City and a 4-0 Boxing Day drubbing at Coventry to boot. We briefly tried other methods that didn’t involve a sacking (Mike Phelan’s 23 day spell as assistant head coach for example) but 2024’s final match, a 2-0 loss at Oxford, proved the writing was on the wall.
Rooney was sacked on New Year’s Eve. Almost all Argyle fans were surely expecting the return of Steven Schumacher and he was the hot favourite for so long, but Argyle shocked supporters by announcing the hire of Austrian manager Miron Muslic on a three and a half year deal.
It’s early days but so far Muslic absolutely can talk the talk; it’s time to see if he can walk the walk. The transfer window additions prove he’s building a side that will scrap and battle for every ball.
To quote the man himself, he doesn’t aim to win beauty contests but to win football matches. The surprise victory over West Brom was certainly a good start.
Argyle Life - the road to the Football Content Awards
Argyle Life was founded in 2015 and so far, we’ve written articles under the stewardship of Derek Adams, Ryan Lowe, Steven Schumacher, Ian Foster, Wayne Rooney and now Miron Muslic.
As we approach the ten year anniversary of the site, fan media is now bigger and better than ever across the board. As we enter into this exciting new partnership with the Chronicle, it’s worth taking a moment to look back on how we got here.
When we first started, Argyle were in the depths of League Two and were entering our fourth season at that level. Enthusiasm for the club around the city was virtually non-existent. Certainly, it was nowhere near the bubbling cauldron of excitement that you see now (either on social media or in person). Whilst we would produce two or three articles a week, it was rare that they’d produce the level of discussion we’re now used to
As Argyle began their climb through the leagues, Argyle Life grew in tandem. In 2018 we launched our popular transfer centre: a rumour mill, but with a twist. Rather than just sharing the rumours, we would act as a sort of factchecking service in which we assess the reliability of the person who started the rumour and give our best guess as to the likelihood of it happening.
This is before we even mention the birth of the Green & White podcast. It began as an entirely pre-recorded venture, where we would discuss the most recent game in isolation. Now, in the post covid era, after a brief break, bought on largely by fatigue and frustration in an era where fans weren’t allowed to see games, we have begun to transition towards live streams.
Now at 8pm every Sunday, (or more accurately, 8pm the day or so after every time we play) three or more of us go live on You Tube and X (formerly Twitter) to not only give our own views, but to also engage with comments and questions as they come in. And, of course, we still produce the content as a podcast for those who can’t engage live. We have also started an ArgyleLife shop, social media ‘phone-in’ spaces and appear as guests on other fan content platforms.
All this comes back to the question: why? Why do we put in so much effort and time to talk about our club? Clue: it certainly isn’t the financial reward, as much as that is appreciated from time to time!
As well as our passion and enjoyment for it, we believe that fan media isn’t just fun, it’s important.
Football clubs have a vital role to play bringing communities together, both offline and online. We think that it’s vital to have a collective space for fans
to share their opinions and feelings in the midst of a big match. Just for me personally, the amount of people I’ve met through the wider Argyle network is incredible. People who are different in so many ways are bought together through football and that’s what we aim to do.
We also aim to provide top quality analysis through our written work (hence our strapline ‘The Alternative Argyle voice’) and to be a critical friend to the club where needed. In December, we took the difficult approach of running an editorial asking for a change of manager. We felt the club was at that point rudderless and sleepwalking to relegation. Whilst we don’t take credit for the eventual change of manager, we think it shows the importance of holding the club’s feet to the fire where applicable.
Our recent positive trajectory culminated in November with a trip to the Tottenham Stadium for the Football Content Awards. We were nominated for best Football League Podcast and whilst we didn’t take the crown this time, in a competitive field it was amazing to be there.
We’re now delighted to partner with the Plymouth Chronicle to give more and more people in the local community the chance to enjoy and engage with our content!
The Argyle Life team at the prestigious Football Content Awards
Empty for ten years - is this historic building to get a new lease of life?
Plymouth City Council is looking for an organisation or individual to give the Merchant’s House - one of the city’s oldest buildings – a new lease of life.
The property, which dates back to the 16th Century, was once a museum but has been closed for almost a decade.
Now the council is hoping to hear from companies, organisations or individuals who are keen to see this incredible Grade II building come alive once more.
Councillor Chris Penberthy, Cabinet Member responsible for the city’s assets said: “This is not a decision we have taken lightly but we need to do something. We have invested millions in the Box and the Elizabethan House, but we currently have no use for this building and no prospect of funding to restore this house.
“We very much hope some thinkers and doers with the finances and the wherewithal to take on a project like this will come forward.
“The house has been closed for almost a decade and is slowly degrading over time. We hope this appeal will generate interest and open up new possibilities for this building.”
Ideas could include a heritage attraction, a tea shop with an historic slant, offices for a business –although the preference would be to enable some form of public access.
While it is not known exactly when the house was built, its first recorded owner was a privateer named William Parker, a friend of Sir Francis Drake.
Like Drake he combined a career as a merchant with privateering and civic government. He also served as Mayor of Plymouth from 1601 to 1602. He served under Drake in 1588 in the fight against the Spanish Armada and carried out raids against the Spanish in the Caribbean. In 1601 he captured a pair of treasure ships laden with 10,000 gold ducats and on his return to Plymouth, was elected Mayor and used the profits from his ventures to remodel an older house on this site into a fashionable timber-framed house.
Parker helped promote the Plymouth Company to colonise North America and took an active interest in the Virginia Colony. He died in 1618 on a voyage to the East Indies. His heirs lived here before it was passed to Abraham Rowe, another successful merchant and in 1651 the house was purchased by Justinian Beard, Mayor of Plymouth on two occasions.
It was occupied by the Beele family until 1707, then by the Martyn family until 1807. In 1807 the building was extended to the rear (towards Finewell Street) and the front used as a shop.
In the 1960s it was a taxi office, then restored by the council and turned into a museum of local heritage, focussing on life in Plymouth over time. Rooms included recreating the Blitz experience and a replica Victorian schoolroom.
The council is keen to explore all options including a sale or a long commercially viable lease. Interested parties should provide the following when submitting an offer:
• Purchase price/rental offer
• Purchaser details
• Conditions
• Proposed use/development plans
• Finance/evidence of funding
• Track record in restoration of historic buildings
• Timescales
Proposed uses sensitive to the property’s historical significance will be given higher consideration. Interested parties should email Laura Hathaway from the council’s Land and Property Team at laura.hathaway@plymouth.gov.uk
Instructed (4) Answers
Scan the QR code.
Or check the next edition of the Plymouth Chronicle. Or visit plymouthchronicle.co.uk/crossword-3
The Plympton and Plymstock Chronicle is delivered door to door every month to homes in Woodford, Plympton St Mary and St Maurice, Chaddlewood, Langage, Elburton, Plymstock, Hooe, Turnchapel, Staddiscombe, Oreston, Pomphlett and Billacombe.
The April edition of the Plymouth Chronicle in Plympton and Plymstock will be published on March 7 with a copy deadline of February 28. The Plympton and Plymstock edition is one of four hyper local editions delivered to a total of more than 90,000 homes throughout the city. If you have an event listing, interesting story or news item you think would be suitable for the Chronicle, please send an email to info@ cornerstonevision.com.
We welcome submissions, but cannot guarantee publication. We accept press releases in
