Plymouth Magazine March 2017

PLYMOUTH’S BIGGEST MONTHLY CIRCULATION MAGAZINE - 47,000 COPIES

plymouth magazine the

ISSUE 153 MARCH 2017

Julie’s solo exhibition at Ocean Studios

Introducing Fred’s Kitchen What’s On guide Life as a foster carer

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Saving waste – and doing good Waste not, want not is a well-used phrase which has been part of our everyday language for hundreds of years.

It’s particularly pertinent these days with our throwaway society rapidly becoming overwhelmed with waste. I’m probably not the only one who is so frustrated by taking delivery of large packages (often containing a relatively small item) full of those infuriating polystyrene packing beads.

And it’s the same at all the supermarkets where so much of our fresh food is wrapped and often double wrapped - more waste! It’s a shocking fact that around a third of the food produced in the world for human consumption is thrown away or lost.

Against this backdrop I must say a huge hat’s off to the brilliant team behind the Real Junk Food Project in Plymouth - who are featured on our front page. Jess Sneyd and Vicki Rowan and a team of 20 volunteers collect surplus food which would otherwise be dumped by local supermarkets.

They then prepare mouth-watering dishes which are served at pop up cafés in Plymouth and other venues across the region. Customers pay what they feel the meals are worth - which then helps fund the project in the long term.

What a great idea - let’s hope the project continues to grow and prosper in the months and years ahead.

While on the subject of great ideas, congratulations to the women (and some men) behind the recently launched Plymouth Ladies Charity Club. They hold fund-raising events and use the money to help worthy causes involving young people in the PL postcode area.

They provide grants of up to £500 which have already made a big difference to the lives of a number of young people in the Plymouth area.

You can read about their exploits and how to get involved - in our special feature on pages 44 and 45.

Hope you enjoy the latest offering!

Publishers: Chris Girdler and Ian Pilkington Editor: Debbie Girdler Designers: Sven Lauch, Diana Mazuru and Naomi Girdler Photography: Roy Perring and Laura Joint Contributors: Karen Pilkington; Derek Anderson and Laura Joint Advertising sales: Karen Pilkington, Dave Simpson, Nathanael Logan, Jessica Bennett , Ali Alexander and Esther Cole Distribution: Tony Hodges Artwork: Sarah Simpson Finance: Karen Pilkington and Kim Strachan Front cover: Jess Sneyd and Vicki Rowan, from the Real Junk Food Project in Plymouth. Photo by Laura Joint. See feature on page 10 and 11.

Contacts: Editorial Tel: 01752 225623 e-mail: chris@cornerstonevision.com Advertising Tel: 01752 225623 e-mail: karen@cornerstonevision.com

The views expressed in the plymouth magazine are not necessarily those of the publishers.

Every effort is taken to ensure the accuracy of all information contained in this magazine.

However, the publishers do not accept any liability for any advice or information included in the magazine.

The Plymouth Magazine is distributed free to 45,000 homes across Plymouth each month, with a further 2,000 copies strategically placed in leisure and retail outlets in Plymouth, Saltash and other locations.

Published by Cornerstone Vision, 28 Old Park Road, Peverell, Plymouth PL3 4PY Tel 01752 225623 Fax 01752 673441 e-mail info@cornerstonevision.com web: www.cornerstonevision.com Follow us @CornerstoneVis

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CONTENTS MARCH 2017 EDITION

SPRING INTO FITNESS

12

16

Marjon Sports Centre has a great range of facilities which are available to everyone in Plymouth at affordable prices.

WHAT’S ON

18

34

BEST OF THE BUNCH

Plymouth’s award-winning Royal William Yard has unveiled plans for a spectacular festival of music, food and entertainment in May.

LADIES ON A MISSION

44

Darren Lawson and the team at leading city estate agents Mansbridge Balment are celebrating a string of successes.

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SUPHAS SO GOOD

Dan Thompson and Supha Kaden are celebrating their first year of business at their Asian street food eatery in Sutton Harbour.

FESTIVAL PLANS

Our comprehensive What’s On section has details of all the events coming up in the Plymouth area over the next few weeks.

40

Plymouth Ladies is a recently formed charity which aims to raise tens of thousands of pounds to help young people in the city.

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The Plymouth Magazine March 2017

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WEDDING MATTERS

Invitation to a wedding special at the Duke of Cornwall For couples who are in the process of planning their wedding, choosing the perfect venue is likely to be step one on their to-do list.

The iconic Duke of Cornwall Hotel is as popular for wedding celebrations in the 21st century as it was more than 150 years ago - and in March the hotel is putting on a special event to show off the splendid setting of the Victorian building.

The event is called the Duke Mini Collection and is taking place on March 16 and aims to provide a source of inspiration for the bride and groom to be. The hotel is opening its doors to all engaged couples to help them visualise how their own big day might look – and to showcase what the Duke of Cornwall can offer as a wedding venue.

This special event will be hosted in the Duke’s magnificent ballroom. The hotel has teamed up with a small selection of talented wedding suppliers to demonstrate how the room might look when prepared for a wedding celebration.

It’s a chance not only to check out one of Plymouth’s most stunning historic spaces – but also to really get a feel for just how enticingly atmospheric the room becomes when it is decorated, dressed and lit for a wedding.

The Duke Mini Collection will be an opportunity to chat with the hotel’s wedding experts too. The friendly and knowledgeable team will be on hand to answer any questions about the practicalities of the wedding day. And they can explain the flexible ways in which the Duke of Cornwall can work as a venue.

Leila Nottage, director of marketing at the Duke of Cornwall Hotel said: “With a long and proud tradition of hosting weddings, we know how to make the best use of this iconic building to make a couple’s special day the fairy-tale experience they deserve.”

The free event runs from 5pm-8pm on Thursday March 16 and is open exclusively to engaged couples.

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For more information or to book a place at the event call the Duke of Cornwall on 01752 275850.

The Plymouth Magazine March 2017

Photos courtesy of Toby Lowe

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The Plymouth Magazine March 2017

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WOMEN AT WORK Take a look at the photos in this feature … notice anything out of the ordinary about the food?

No? We didn’t think you would. Yet this was a Sunday lunch with a difference at the Bread and Roses in Ebrington Street, Plymouth, because every single morsel had been destined for the waste bin until it was ‘saved’ by The Real Junk Food Project Plymouth.

All of these delicious dishes were made using unsold supermarket produce or surplus fruit and veg that would otherwise have ended up in landfill despite being perfectly good and safe to eat.

The Real Junk Food Project is a not-for-profit organisation set up in the UK in 2013 by a small group of people wanting to raise awareness about avoidable food waste and to create a momentum to eradicate it. Its motto is: feed bellies, not bins.

Since the launch, pop-up cafés have sprung up across the country and around the world, with local projects “intercepting and diverting” food to make tasty meals which are sold on a ‘pay as you feel’ basis.

In April 2016, the Plymouth project was launched by two like-minded women who met quite by chance via a mutual friend on Facebook. Jess Sneyd and Vicki Rowan now spend every Wednesday rescuing food from outlets and cooking meals to serve up at venues on both sides of the Tamar.

Vicki, whose background is in catering, explained how it all started: “I was having a moan on Facebook, saying there was a shortage of these sorts of places and a friend said ‘well set one up then.’ I didn’t think that was possible but then a few days later my friend spotted a similar post by another friend of hers, who was Jess. She connected us and here we are today.”

According to the organisation’s national website, around a third of the food produced in the world for human consumption every year — approximately 1.3 billion tonnes — gets lost or wasted. In the relatively short time the Plymouth project has run, Jess, Vicki and the team of 20 or so volunteers have intercepted six tonnes of food and offered about 5,000 meals.

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The Plymouth Magazine March 2017

Below: Jess Sneyd and Vicki Rowan. Right: Jess with volunteer Jo

Real Junk Food P Plymouth bellie The local project collects much of the food from branches of Morrisons, Aldi, Co-Op and Spar. Other fresh produce comes from Cornwall-based Keveral Organic Community Growers and Good Earth Growers.

Luxury fudge makers, Gingham Chicken, provide ‘off-cuts’ which are mixed with bread to create bread pudding.

Jess said: “It’s through developing a relationship with people that we’re able to intercept what would otherwise be thrown out even though it’s perfectly good to eat. Some of the fresh fruit we get has to be stored for a couple of weeks to ripen up! One of the things we wish to highlight is that food that is past its best before or sell by date is often binned when it is still really good to eat. We comply to all food safety requirements and environmental health standards,” she added.

Once the ingredients are collected, they head straight back to Jess’s kitchen to work some magic with the help of volunteer cooks. The meals are then frozen and defrosted ready for their pop-up cafés.

The monthly café at the Bread and Roses social enterprise pub takes place 1pm-3pm on the first Sunday of the month. On the day we went for a ‘tasting’, around 60 meals were served.

The menu included fish cakes and four different types of curry with rice and sides of sag aloo, pakora and home-made chutneys. There was also a choice of quiches and salads, while the desserts included chocolate and raspberry fudge pudding, chocolate ginger tart, bread pudding and fresh fruit.

“What we cook is obviously entirely dependent on the food that we intercept,” said Jess. “We tend not to get much meat which is why a lot of the food is vegetarian or vegan. And a lot is also gluten-free.”

By 2.30pm, almost all of the food had been snapped up, with customers leaving their money in the pots after they’d finished their meals. Jess – a nurse by profession and a mum of three –

Project feeds es, not bins! says that people ‘really get’ the message and almost all play fair when it comes to paying.

Although The Real Junk Food Project was set up as an anti-waste organisation, it also reaches people in need: “We bring the café to community organisations in Plymouth and Cornwall,” explained Jess. “On one occasion we fed a young mum who hadn’t eaten for three days. Another older gentleman had paid for his heating and didn’t have any money for food so he brought a lunch and donated what he could, which was a few pennies. And we give food to a couple of guys who provide a soup run service in Plymouth.”

The Real Junk Food Project Plymouth is at Barnado’s at the Dell Children’s Centre in Blandford Road, Efford, 11am - 2pm on the second Thursday of every month, and Jess and Vicki are looking for other venues in the city to visit towards the end of each month.

They’ve just started to provide the catering at functions and charity events, where a ‘per head’ fee is agreed in advance and they’ve now been asked to cater for a number of weddings, the first one in Okehampton in March.

A recent Crowdfunding appeal, meanwhile, has raised £10,720, with match funding from Plymouth City Council and energy firm Plutus powerGen, to pay for a new, bigger shared kitchen. It will enable Jess and Vicki to develop their work with youth groups, housing projects and shelters to provide cooking classes and healthy food and skills for more people. And, said Jess: “It also means we’ll have the capacity to intercept more food and fill bellies, not bins.”

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The Real Junk Food Project Plymouth 07510 138 595 or 07821 949 526 www.facebook.com/TheRealJunkFoodProjectPlymouth www.therealjunkfoodproject.org

www.cornerstonevision.com

@CornerstoneVis

The Plymouth Magazine March 2017

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Everyone can spring into fitness at Marjon Sports Centre Want to get fit in time for spring and summer but not sure about committing to a year’s membership at a gym? Then Marjon Sports Centre is just for you.

The centre at Derriford is giving people the chance to dip their toe into the water, with a 6-week membership for just £45 – perfect for friends looking to get fit together this spring.

Marjon Sports Centre boasts some of the best facilities in the region and is open for everyone to enjoy. And, instead of the annual membership terms demanded by most health clubs, Marjon’s membership is on a monthly basis. Better still, there’s no joining fee or annual contract and no penalty if you leave. The only requirement is that you give a month’s notice.

Monthly membership prices start at £31 for gym-and-swim, or £41 for gym, swim and access to the centre’s range of group exercise classes.

With a popular pay-as-you-go option available too, keeping fit and healthy has never been so easy, affordable or accessible. Sessions are £6.20 for a gym induction and £5 per session after that. Swimming is £4 for adults, £3 for over-60s and disabled customers, £2.90 for ages 5-15, and under-5s can swim for free.

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The Plymouth Magazine March 2017

Simon White, manager at the centre, said: “A lot of people think that because we are at Marjon, we are only Marjon Sports open to students which couldn’t be Centre manager farther from the truth. We are open Simon White for everyone and we have people of all ages and abilities. One of the things that they feedback to us is that they enjoy the friendly, welcoming atmosphere and our diversity.”

Simon added: “This tends to be the time of year when people start to think about boosting their health and fitness and doing it with a friend can really help with motivation. The 6-week membership is a great way for friends to kick start their fitness and it gives them the opportunity to try out what we have to offer. And there is no commitment to continue after the six weeks.”

The sports centre was refurbished as part of the £20 million revamp of the University of St Mark & St John in 2010 and its state of the art facilities are used by international sportsmen and women as well as local people simply looking to maintain their health and wellbeing.

The facilities include a 90-station fitness suite with cutting edge kit and a 25m pool which is in pristine condition.

Professional, qualified instructors are on hand in the fitness suite and there is always a lifeguard poolside.

The pool has a hoist so is accessible for people with disabilities and there are sessions exclusively for disabled customers. There are also sessions for women only, adults only and for people aged 60+ only. A lane is always available for serious swimmers.

“People don’t realise the quality of the facilities and equipment we have until they actually come and have a look, it’s probably the first thing they comment on, that and the cleanliness,” said Simon.

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Every new joiner has an induction and is shown how to use the equipment. Members can also choose an optional 1-2-1 session with a trainer to develop a bespoke programme to help them achieve their fitness goals.

A range or low, medium and high intensity group exercises are run including yoga, pilates, Zumba, aqua, cycle, cycle over 60s, hiit, pump it up, core strength, PureStretch, Clubbercise and Bleep Test. Classes can be booked via telephone up to a week in advance.

Prices range from £3 to £5.

For people looking for a potentially life-changing transformation, Marjon Sports Centre’s 1-2-1 sessions with a personal trainer is £25, or £200 for 10 one-hour sessions.

Many people choose to do this with a friend in the ‘train with a buddy’ sessions which cost £250 for 10 one-hour sessions.

The centre has a spacious, comfortable café which has the same opening hours as the sports facilities: 7am to 10pm weekdays; 9am to 5pm weekends. Parking is effectively free, with pay as you go users required to purchase a £3 parking voucher which is refunded for up to two hours, while members have a parking permit.

For full details of the facilities and fees, visit the Marjon Sports Centre website. Or pop along to take a look for yourself.

••

Marjon Sports Centre‚ University of St Mark & St John, Derriford Rd, Plymouth Tel 01752 636876 www. marjon.ac.uk/marjon-sport

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The Plymouth Magazine March 2017

/13

BUSINESS MATTERS Michelle Neale of Camellia Catering, pictured at the historic Orangery garden café

Future is bright for the Orangery garden café With a complete top-to-toe refurbishment and a seachange in its food ethos, the historic Orangery garden café at Mount Edgcumbe has been transformed into a beautiful venue for all seasons.

The Orangery now offers fresh homemade food that’s jam-packed with local produce and, with its contemporary but still friendly atmosphere, it’s fast becoming a favourite for couples looking to hold their wedding reception in a unique setting and for people celebrating special occasions.

The transformation has been carried out by Michelle Neale, whose Camellia Catering business took over the running of The Orangery three years ago.

Michelle had already been working at the venue for four years as a team member for the previous management so she knew what she was taking on.

But it was a challenge that Michelle, who’s been in the industry all her working life, accepted with relish: “Just look at the location and the garden!” she said. “It’s a gorgeous place and it’s got a history that goes back to the 1700s when the Edgcumbes had The Orangery built for the orange trees they brought back from their travels. But it had become sad and tired. We’ve brought it up to date and given the whole place a fresh, stylish look. I’m super proud of what we’ve achieved.”

The Orangery has a new kitchen and bar and a menu that finally does the venue justice. Gone are the pre-packed sandwiches, replaced by tasty meals and cakes made using ingredients

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The Plymouth Magazine March 2017

largely from Devon and Cornwall: “It has changed everyone’s perception of The Orangery,” said Michelle. “Before, people would pop in for a cuppa as part of their walk around Mount Edgcumbe; now they’re making us their destination.

“Some customers have said this is the best food they’ve ever had. It’s simple and traditional food but it’s beautiful food – and that’s down to the quality of the ingredients and the incredible creativity of our chefs, Biruta, Kerri and Jake. I think the only thing we don’t actually make ourselves is the jam,” added Michelle.

The menu includes the all day Orangery breakfast including a vegetarian option, all day brunch, gourmet burger, sandwiches and a children’s menu. The bar and cocktail menus also celebrate local ales, ciders, rum and gin. Among the cocktails is the ‘Poldark and Stormy’ featuring Cornish-produced Dead Man’s Fingers Spiced Rum with Fever Tree ginger beer, fresh lime and bitters served over ice. Cornish Bramble, meanwhile, has Tarquin’s Cornish gin as its main star.

The Sunday roast offers a choice of local meats or a nut roast with seasonal vegetables for £11. Word has got out about these so it’s best to book in advance.

The cream teas are hard to resist, too (check out the size of the scones!)

For those who like to sample a bit of everything, which let’s face it is most of us, then an afternoon or high tea is Food photos courtesy of Barney Walters

a great way to while away a couple of hours. Again, pre-booking is advised: “An afternoon tea is decadent and elegant and a high tea with Prosecco added is even more so!” said Michelle. When the weather’s fine, the orangery garden offers the perfect setting for it.

Indeed, the setting is part of the Orangery’s overall ‘package’ when it comes to special occasions and the short ferry trip across the River Tamar only adds to its attraction. “We’re getting a lot of baby showers and prom parties,” said Michelle, “and we are increasingly busy with wedding receptions not just for couples getting married at Mount Edgcumbe House, but for couples getting married in Plymouth and hopping over the Tamar.” The ferry service from the Barbican and Admiral’s Hard can be privately hired.

It’s not surprising The Orangery is proving popular for special events. With venue hire available at £1,600 plus VAT and a three-course wedding breakfast at £34.95 a head, The Orangery manages to be both exclusive and relaxed – and booking it is a piece of cake! Just email or telephone Michelle to arrange a chat over coffee and she will sort everything out for you.

Couples are offered a choice of six starters, eight mains and five desserts from which to select three dishes from each of the three courses, to include a vegetarian option in the savoury courses: “We’re not like most venues – you get to build your day,” said Michelle. “The only thing you need to bring is your wedding cake and your centre piece.”

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There’s also a ‘Little Ones’ wedding breakfast for £9.50 per child.

If you fancy something less formal than a sit down meal, a hog roast (£26.95pp), BBQ (£26.95) or buffet (£24.95) are alternative options, with children eating for £9.50.

The hog roast is slowroasted Cornish hog and the menu also includes dressed whole salmon, leek and goat’s cheese tart, a range of salads and breads and a selection of desserts. The BBQ has home made beef burgers, halloumi burgers, tiger prawn skewers, chicken & chorizo skewers, salads, breads and desserts. The buffet also has a mix of quality meats, fish, veggie dishes and desserts. Evening bites and canapés are also available.

The Orangery is a short, level walk from the Cremyll Ferry landing pier and usual opening times are 10.30am to 4pm, seven days a week, with later openings in fine weather. Visit the website for the full menus and information on how to book the venue. Look out on the Facebook page, too, for the Sunday afternoon live acoustic sessions planned for the garden this summer.

••

The Orangery at Mount Edgcumbe Mount Edgcumbe Country Park, Cornwall, PL10 1HZ 01752 822586 info@camelliacatering.co.uk www.theorangerymountedgcumbe.co.uk www.facebook.com/TheOrangeryME

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The Plymouth Magazine March 2017

/15

Supha’s serves up some fresh new offerings for 2017!

After a first year that has ‘knocked us off our feet’ and seen their Asian street food eatery become a permanent fixture in the top 10 on the Tripadvisor review website, Dan Thompson and Supha Kaden could be forgiven for thinking: ‘How do we follow that?’

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The Plymouth Magazine March 2017

But Dan and Supha, who opened Supha’s Street Food Emporium on Sutton Harbour on February 10 last year, already have a plan for 2017. It involves more of the same but with some brand new dishes, a diary of special events and virtual and real cookery lessons thrown into the mix.

The aim from the start was to bring the authentic taste of South East Asia street food to Plymouth in an informal dining setting. All of the sauces and pastes are made fresh in the kitchen – sometimes 20 kilos are made in a week – creating the flavours of Thailand, Vietnam, Laos, Myanmar and Malaysia.

“We want to stimulate the senses,” said Dan. “You come in and you immediately get those lovely smells; you can hear the food being prepared in the kitchen; and you take in the bright colours. The response and the love we’ve received has knocked us off our feet and we’re chuffed with the reviews we’ve had on Tripadvisor and Facebook.

“People have embraced the sharing culture we have here so they’ll order dishes they can dip into together. Customers enjoy the openness of the setting, where they can see the dishes being prepared in the kitchen. And they love the fish counter, where they can choose their own seafood.”

And Supha added: “It’s very rewarding because in order to come to this side of Sutton Harbour, people need to intend to come here, as opposed to just stumbling upon us.”

Thailand-born Supha, whose own recipes have been handed down by two generations in her family, has recently started to work front of house as well as in the kitchen and she’s been amazed at the response from customers: “You really get to feel the love when you are out front. It’s such a nice feeling.”

FOOD MATTERS Much of produce is locally sourced while the herbs and spices are brought in from South East Asia. Most dishes are under £10, with the exception of some fish dishes, and lunchtime specials are £5: “We’ve created an environment where it’s not a special treat to come here,” said Dan. “Some people come in three times a week and one customer who works in one of the offices down here rings us to ask what our special of the day or fish of the day is and he’s always the first in to try it.

“I think we’ve accomplished what we wanted to do. Now it’s a case of working on the things we didn’t have the opportunity to introduce last year.”

One of those is a series of live lessons broadcast on Facebook, where Supha shows how people can recreate some of the dishes at home: “We’ve just had our first and we’re planning more of those this year,” said Dan. “Giving is all part of having the community feel that we have and we’re very conscious of that.”

The lessons are partly in response to customers asking how the sauces and pastes are made and the next step is to offer real hands-on cooking lessons, with the first one planned for late March or April: “Supha is going to show people how to make the Thai dish, Som Tam (Green Papaya Salad),” said Dan. “This can be the hottest dish you ever eat in Thailand but the heat can be toned down.”

People will be able to book a table for the evening and get a demonstration on how to make the dish before making it themselves: “They’ll have a giant pestle and mortar on their table,” explained Dan. “It’s going to be great fun.”

Another feature for 2017 is a special events calendar to celebrate South East Asian festivals, when the food, music and culture of particular areas will be featured for the day.

And, making the most of the outside space on the harbourside, Supha’s Summer Gin Club will offer a range of gin cocktails paired with nibbles: “Is there a better setting in the whole of Plymouth? I don’t think there is, especially at sunset,” said Dan. Dan and Supha are excited about what lies ahead: “We’re very proud about how our first year went,” said Supha, “but we say ‘never stay still’. We want to keep on freshening things up. We have a great team around us and feel we have much more to offer.”

And Dan added: “We set out to do something very different and we’re constantly looking at how to introduce new elements and fine-tune things, otherwise Supha’s would become just another place. That’s no good to us, we don’t want to be just another place. We want to be Supha’s!”

Supha’s is open six days a week, 12-10pm Wednesday to Saturday and 12-9pm Tuesdays and Sundays, closed Mondays. Visit the Facebook page and website for up to date information on menus and events.

••

Supha’s Unit 1, East Quay House, Sutton Harbour 01752 228513 www.suphas.co.uk eat@suphas.co.uk www.facebook.com/Suphasstreetfood

www.cornerstonevision.com

@CornerstoneVis

The Plymouth Magazine March 2017

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WHAT’S ON

Apr 18 to 21 WNO: LA BOHEME When Annabel Arden’s sensitive and insightful production was first performed in 2012, it was welcomed with open arms by both audiences and critics. It’s a vivid portrait of bohemian life in Paris, enhanced with atmospheric projections.

The Lyric Royal Parade Plymouth Box Office 01752 267222 www.theatreroyal.com Feb 27 to Mar 1 ROOM ON THE BROOM Join the Witch and her cat on their mission to defeat the dragon in Tall Stories’ magical, musical adaptation of the classic picture book by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler. Songs, laughs and scary fun for children aged three and up and their grown-ups, in the Olivier-nominated show that’s toured Britain and the world!

Apr 20 to 22 WNO: MADAM BUTTERFLY Joachim Herz’s Madam Butterfly has been with us for over three decades and with good reason.

It’s a classic, traditional staging of this much-loved opera. While being completely faithful to the composer’s intentions it also critiques imperialism to powerful effect. Each scene looks like a sepia photograph through which we glimpse a vanished world.

Mar 3 and 4 DANZA CONTEMPORÁNEA DE CUBA For more than five decades Danza Contemporánea de Cuba’s hybrid and hothouse dance blend of African-Caribbean rhythms, jazzy American modernism and influences from classical European ballet has been evoking the sensual heart of the Cuban spirit through vigorous and highly physical contemporary dance.

Mar 8 to Mar 11 BIRMINGHAM ROYAL BALLET CINDERELLA David Bintley’s Cinderella is a glorious, award-winning celebration of ballet. Praised by audiences and critics alike, Cinderella is a sure-fire mix of wonderful dance, spectacular scenery and a cast of characters that include mice, lizards and even a dancing frog, that capture every imagination.

Apr 24 to 29 THE COMMITMENTS 2017 A fantastically feel good celebration of soul, with over 20 soul classics live on stage. Direct from a phenomenally successful, record breaking run in London’s West End, The Commitments is based on the BAFTA award winning film classic.

Jane Eyre - based on Charlotte Brontë’s masterpiece - at the Theatre Royal in May

Mar 10 BIRMINGHAM ROYAL BALLET FIRST STEPS A perfect introduction to ballet, this hour-long, interactive show is a feast of dance, music, costumes and lots of fun. Specially adapted for children aged three to seven, the amazing Birmingham Royal Ballet dancers and orchestra perform excerpts from Cinderella accompanied by a storyteller introducing the children to the music, leading characters and sharing some of the technical magic and wizardry.

Mar 16 to Mar 18 THE FAR SIDE OF THE MOON Internationally renowned director and performer Robert Lepage brings his criticallyacclaimed The Far Side of The Moon to Plymouth.

Performed by Yves Jacques and punctuated by Laurie Anderson’s otherworldly score, The Far Side of the Moon takes audiences on a spellbinding, funny and technically exquisite journey, highlighting the poetry that sometimes hides in human life.

This epic production will be performed in only three UK cities, offering a unique opportunity for audiences outside of London to experience this unparalleled work.

Mar 11 BIRMINGHAM ROYAL BALLET CLASS ON STAGE Ever wondered just how ballet dancers do what they do? This is your chance to look behind the scenes and watch Birmingham Royal Ballet’s talented dancers in their final preparations for a performance of world class.

Mar 24 to 26 WE’RE GOING ON A BEAR HUNT Direct from a smash-hit West End season and international tour, Michael Rosen’s award-winning book We’re Going on a Bear Hunt is brought vividly and noisily to the stage in director Sally Cookson’s fun-filled adaptation

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The Plymouth Magazine March 2017

set to Benji Bower’s versatile lively score.

Mar 25 ROSS NOBLE BRAIN DUMP Everybody’s favourite randomist is back. As always Ross has lots of stuff backing up in his head and it’s time to let it all out. Famed for his super quick freewheeling style and highly imaginative flights of fancy, a Ross Noble show is always an unmissable event.

Apr 1 to 15 SLEEPLESS World premiere of the enchanting new romantic musical comedy based on the timeless movie classic, Sleepless in Seattle. From the producers of Elf. Apr 18 WELSH NATIONAL OPERA: LE VIN HERBE Many opera-goers will be familiar with Wagner’s Tristan und Isolde but Frank Martin’s intimate opera offers a very different take on the legend. This rare staged production of this exquisite and elegant tragedy promises a truly intoxicating experience.

May 1 to 6 JANE EYRE Following a critically acclaimed season at the National Theatre, Jane Eyre is coming to the Theatre Royal Plymouth. This innovative re-imagining of Charlotte Brontë’s masterpiece is a collaboration between the National Theatre and Bristol Old Vic and is directed by Sally Cookson.

May 7 THAT’LL BE THE DAY 2017 After an incredible three decades of touring, the UK’s No.1 Rock & Roll variety production That’ll Be The Day returns with another brand new show. This year’s production features a fresh new line-up of sensational classic gold hits, spanning the 50’s right through to the 70’s & 80’s, mixed as always, with even more hilarious comedy!

May 9 to 13 SUNNY AFTERNOON Winner of the 2015 Olivier Award for Best New Musical, Sunny Afternoon is an irresistible musical with slick theatricality and ingenious storytelling at its heart. It tells the captivating tale of how one of Britain’s greatest bands, The Kinks, rose to stardom.

Theatres & Shows of the universe, we have created a unique theatre experience for children.

Drum Theatre ROYAL PARADE PLYMOUTH Box Office 01752 267222 Feb 28 to Mar 4 INFINITY POOL Multi-award winning writer Bea Roberts tells a tender and truthful comedy like no other, using projectors, party rings and PowerPoint. It’s all about e-mails unopened, cup-a-soup undrunk, a secret in the stock room.

Mar 9 to 25 THE HERE AND THIS AND NOW In a faded country house hotel in England, a group of medical reps from the world’s seventyninth largest pharmaceutical company have been summoned for an office awayday. Potential office romances aside, it’s strictly business-as-usual: endless team-building exercises, an over-ambitious boss and the wrong sort of biscuits. Little does anyone know that change is clearly coming…

Mar 28 to Apr WAIL Why do whales sing? Why do humans wail? Last year Little Bulb Theatre embarked on a quest to discover the answers to these perplexing questions and more. Now, they share their findings in an aquatic cabaret of songs, science and soundscapes with chances to win cheap prizes galore!

Apr 4 to 8 THE STAR SEEKERS Have you ever dreamt of flying to the moon? Visiting a space station? Becoming an astronaut?

Join The Wardrobe Ensemble on a journey through the stars where you take the steering wheel.

Inspired by our childhood wonder

Apr 11 to 15 SAMMY AND THE SNOW LEOPARD A high-energy show involving stuffed animals, evil neighbours, school projects and limes that will enchant everyone over five.

Travelling Light are renowned for producing innovative and inspiring shows for young audiences.

Apr 18 to 22 ALL THE LITTLE LIGHTS Poignant, moving and darkly funny, this award-winning new play tells the searing story of three girls slipping through the cracks in society, desperately searching for friendship, family and themselves. In a world where nobody wants you, what would you do to survive?

Apr 25 to 29 NATIONAL THEATRE CONNECTIONS FESTIVAL A celebration of young people, theatre-making and the importance of access to the arts with ten new plays for young people to perform, bringing together some of the most exciting writers with the theatre-makers of tomorrow.

Local performers include Lipson Cooperative Academy and Theatre Royal Young Company.

May 2 to 6 JONNY & THE BAPTISTS: EAT THE POOR Three quarters of MPs are millionaires. A third of the country lives below the poverty line. Whatever your politics, Jonny & the Baptists think it’s worth talking about. A riotously funny epic about friendship, inequality and betrayal from the multi-award-nominated musical comedians.

livingcoasts.org.uk 01803 202470 Registered Charity No. 1099076

8 days from

£549

Lake Garda Departs 9 July & 8 October 2017 Flying direct from Exeter

Wail at The Drum presents a cabaret of songs, science and soundscapes

Rest, relax and explore on the idyllic shores of beautiful Lake Garda.

Tour highlights Seven nights’ bed and breakfast accommodation at the Hotel Modena, Malcesine – a range of 18 other hotels in four resorts are available at a supplement



 Return flights to Italy  Return airport-to-hotel transfers services of a friendly,  The experienced resort based manager

For more details call

01752 364186 www.cornerstonevision.com

@CornerstoneVis

The Plymouth Magazine March 2017

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WHAT’S ON

Theatres & Shows from a four piece to a full six piece ensemble with added flute/sax and drums.

Castle Street, Plymouth BOX OFFICE: 01752 267131 www.barbicantheatre.co.uk

Mar 18 ALASDAIR ROBERTS TRIO Scottish folk artist Alasdair Roberts performing in the Barbican Theatre auditorium with his trio featuring Alex Neilson (drums) and Stevie Jones (bass).

Support from Sound of Yell.

Mar 10 THE RISING The Rising is an empowering, highly charged evening of dance and live music. The show is inspired by Fijian dance and culture from Heather’s time working in Fiji with Vou Dance Company. It explores what it means to feel alive and empowered, drawing from ideas of vulnerability, surrender and our embodied sense of community.

Live music originally composed and played by multi award winning musicians, Will McNicol and Luke Selby.

Mar 17 THE EULOGY OF TOBY PEACH Toby has come to deliver his Eulogy. Join him as he enters the (not so) exclusive Cancer Club; sample chemotherapy cocktails, select the perfect funeral playlist and marvel at Willy Wonka’s lifesaving stem cell machine. From diagnosis to remission, relapse and treatment; experience a young man’s journey with cancer.

Mar 24 ETCH Exim Dance Company present an intimate exploration of memory; the things we remember and those we choose to forget. With layers of spoken word, movement and music the performers guide the audience on a journey of remembrance.

Apr 6 to 15 DRACULA: THE BLOODY TRUTH Le Navet Bete’s latest production presented by the Barbican Theatre at the Athenaeum Theatre. This brand new show will take audiences on a journey across Europe: from the dark and sinister Transylvanian mountains to the awkwardly charming seaside town of Whitby, and into the world of the supernatural educating us all on the perils of dealing with vampires.

May 5 EPOCH, AEON Epoch, Aeon is Richard Chappell Dance’s most challenging and collaborative work to date stemming from his experiences of classical ballet, contemporary dance, martial arts and improvisation.

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Eliza Acty brings her unique vocal style to the B-Bar on March 3

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CASTLE STREET, PLYMOUTH 01752 242021 www.b-bar.co.uk Mar 1 COMEDY NIGHT Some light relief with the best stand-ups on the UK circuit.

Mar 2 HOT CLUB OF STONEHOUSE Hot Club of Stonehouse bring the gypsy jazz of 1930s Paris bals musettes to present day Blighty.

Sultry, insouciant & swinging, their authentic Hot Club sound is uniquely anointed with the balmy and incomparable vocals of the divine Miss Becky Brine.

groove-based and highly singable original acoustic songs bursting with passion and wit, and is gaining quite a reputation for his rousing blues-folk material and energetic live shows.

Mar 11 GUITAR REVOLUTION CHRIS WOODS GROOVE ORCHESTRA An exciting mix of performances from the guitar bending ‘Chris Woods Groove Orchestra’ and guest artists. The show finale is a performance of ‘Guitar Revolution’. Players of all abilities and ages are invited to learn the piece online for free and join the orchestra for the performance of the piece ‘Guitar Revolution’.

Mar 11 THE SOUL STROKE Four-piece soul, funk, and jazz dance-band

Mar 3 ELIZA ACTY With her unique vocal style, Eliza performs a wide range of folk, blues, American old-time and contemporary songs that span over a century of music. Added accompaniment from Peter Acty on clawhammer banjo and guitar.

Mar 15 ANDY QUICK Originally from Lancashire, Andy moved to Devon over ten years ago and is unashamedly happy with life in the Southwest. His music is raw, rootsy, uplifting and fiercely original - a breath of fresh air for the UK music scene.

Mar 4 & 18 FREE CUBA PARTY Latin tunes and cocktails with B-Bar’s resident DJ playing the best in salsa, merengue, bachata, son and more.

Mar 16 ANJA GRAEFE WITH MATT BENJAMIN Anja Graefe has a deep, earthy voice that marries well with the blues based and folksy jazz she sings.

Mar 8 & 22 CAFE ACOUSTICA B Bar’s fortnightly showcase of unplugged talent, hosted by singer-songwriter Jessie Mullen.

Mar 9 GOZER GOODSPEED Gozer Goodspeed plays hard, fast,

The Plymouth Magazine March 2017

Mar 17 ORPHEUS Orpheus is an exciting new LatinBrazilian jazz project brought together by a mutual love of Brazilian music and led by Exeter based Swedish singer Annika Skoogh. The band can vary in size

MILLBAY ROAD, PLYMOUTH Box Office: 0845 146 1460 Mar 3 MIKE + THE MECHANICS Mike + The Mechanics are an English pop/rock supergroup formed in 1985 as a side project of Mike Rutherford, one of the founding members of the band Genesis. The band is known for their hit singles ‘Silent Running (On Dangerous Ground)’, ‘All I Need Is a Miracle”, “Word of Mouth” and “The Living Years”.

Mar 9 ELBOW Elbow announce their most extensive tour since 2008 with multi-night residencies in Dublin, Birmingham, Edinburgh, London and Manchester alongside returns to towns last visited around the release of ‘The Seldom Seen Kid’. The final tour of previous album ‘ The Take Off and Landing of Everything’ in 2015 saw the band play their longest ever theatre residences in London and Manchester. The decision to repeat this and then visit as many places as possible came from the feedback of fans who loved those shows as much as the band did.

Mar 13 and 14 MICKY FLANAGAN Sold out Mar 15 CIRCUS OF HORRORS The Circus of Horrors celebrates its 21st anniversary as it takes to the road with its latest incarnation ‘The Never-ending Nightmare’. It features an amazing amalgamation of bizarre, brave & beautiful acts all woven into an Alice in Horrorland type story driven by a mainly original soundscape and performed with a forked tongue firmly in each cheek! Not suitable for under 16s.

Mar 16 JAMES ARTHUR Sold out

Advertorial

Why I went to Beautiful Smiles

Nick Rush, Clinical Dental Technician, tells us why three patients visited him at his clinic in St Judes.

“Another tooth lost” Jayne’s story

I had lost a few of my natural teeth over the years, most had been back teeth so it hadn’t bothered me too much. Over time eating had become more difficult and I tended to eat using my front teeth like a rabbit.

BEFORE

AFTER

One of my front teeth became loose and eventually became painful so I had to have it removed. It was my worst nightmare to have a gap at the front of my mouth. My dentist advised me to visit Nick, reassuring me that he could help me. Nick was very patient listening to my concerns, he then carefully explained my options. I felt that my cheeks had become sunken, Nick advised that wearing upper and lower dentures to replace the gaps would support my cheeks, eliminating the sunken look. Nick made me new dentures which fit nice and securely and are so comfortable that I don’t even realise they are in!

On the left are the pictures of me before and after the fitting of my new dentures.

“Dad, I’m getting married” my daughter exclaimed

“I was embarrassed about my smile” Elaine’s story I had worn a plastic partial denture for many years, and I had lost some more natural teeth causing gaps when I smiled. The denture was loose and I never left home without my tube of adhesive. In fact I was only really wearing the denture when I went out. It was starting to get me down.

A neighbour suggested I visit Nick to see what could be done.

Nick put me at ease and took time to listen to my concerns; he explained all the possible options. I decided to go for one of the new light weight chrome dentures. This denture is great, it only covers a little of my palate and is secured by clips on my own teeth. You

AFTER can’t see the clips because they are clear. It feels secure and stable, an added bonus is that I can now taste my food better because it covers less than half the palate than my old one.

Here are the pictures of my old and new smile. My new denture looks and feels amazing and has given me so much more confidence. It is so comfortable that I wear it all the time.

“No more metal showing”

Here we see the difference that the “invisible” clips can make compared to the metal ones normally used.

John’s story I was of course delighted with the news, but then over the next couple of weeks I had both my wife and daughter on at me to sort out my teeth for the big day.

I had worn complete dentures for many years and the teeth on my present set had become very worn down, my wife often complained that it looked as if I hadn’t got any teeth.

My wife nagged me to visit Nick because her friend, who had seen his Plymouth Magazine article and had then seen him for new dentures, was delighted

BEFORE

Photo: J. Duffin, 2015

with the teeth Nick made for her.

I visited Nick and explained that I wanted my dentures to look like real teeth for the wedding photographs.

Nick showed me examples of the very natural denture teeth available today. I decided to go ahead without

delay. Visiting Nick in plenty of time before the wedding meant that by the time the big day was here I had got used to my dentures and they felt like they had been part of me for years.

I think you will agree the result looked great for the big day.

CALL 01752 662986 TO ARRANGE YOUR FREE CONSULTATION

Nick Rush of Beautiful Smiles

A LIFETIME OF EXPERIENCE

WHAT’S ON Theatres & Shows Mar 18 SCOTT BRADLEES POST MODERN JUKEBOX Postmodern Jukebox, the evergrowing collective of performers – now with a roster of over 70 rotating cast members has spent the past few years amassing nearly 500 million YouTube views and two million subscribers, performed on ‘Good Morning America,’ topped iTunes and Billboard charts, and played hundreds of shows to packedhouses around the world.

are limited! If you’re loving the entertainment but don’t want to be out all night, you can still grab a seat in our balcony to view the show without the rest of the jazz and razzmatazz!

Brendan Cole brings his spectacular new production to Plymouth Pavilions on April 1

Apr 12 ROBIN HOOD EASTER PANTO Join the heroes Robin Hood and Maid Marian in this swashbuckling, arrow-slinging, tights-wearing comedy adventure! With an allstar cast, including Britain’s Got Talent winner George Sampson as Robin Hood, Enchanted Entertainment return this Easter with another fantastic pantomime for all the family. Robin Hood will be packed full of laugh-out-loud comedy routines, stunning dances, show-stopping songs and heaps of audience participation… Oh yes it will!

Mar 21 CRAIG DAVID Sold Out Mar 27 MARTI PELLOW The pop icon and internationally renowned musical theatre star returns to Plymouth. The tour announcement coincides with Marti’s new album Mysterious which was released on February 10. Marti will perform a variety of material during the tour including Wet Wet Wet favourites, original material from throughout his solo career including new album tracks, along with a string of music theatre numbers.

Mar 29 BILLY OCEAN Billy Ocean is celebrating after the release of his latest album ‘Here You Are: The Best Of Billy Ocean’ soared to number 4, becoming his highest charting album since 1989. The ‘Caribbean Queen’ star is Britain’s biggest selling black artist of all time, with a string of multiplatinum hits. Currently on an international tour, Billy Ocean

VE G LI STA N

O

Based on the best-selling book by

Julia Donaldson & Axel Scheffler

Room on the Broom © Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler 2001 – Macmillan Children’s Books

E

★★★★ ★★★★★ ★★★★ The Sunday Times

British Theatre

Time Out

MON 27 FEB - WED 1 MAR BOOK NOW 01752 267222 theatreroyal.com

THE PERFECT FAMILY TREAT

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The Plymouth Magazine March 2017

has announced a huge run of UK headline dates for 2017 where he will be performing all of his greatest hits from the new album and favourite tracks.

Apr 1 BRENDAN COLE - ALL NIGHT LONG Brendan’s new spectacular theatre production features his guest dancers, a new leading lady and a 14 piece band and singers live on stage. Stunning lighting, amazing special effects and superb choreography. It’s going be a party! Don’t miss it.

Apr 5 YOU ME AT SIX You Me At Six have had a hugely successful career to date, selling over 600,000 albums globally.

The band have had three top 5 albums including a UK number 1 on their last release, Cavalier Youth. With new tour dates scheduled and anticipation building for their upcoming album, it looks like 2017 is going to be another huge year for the band.

Apr 5 A NIGHT AT THE SANDS PARTY NIGHT On selected evenings throughout 2017, Plymouth Pavilions will be opening its doors to welcome customers to sit back and enjoy a new take on ‘Dinner and a Show’.

Enjoy a sumptuous three course dinner whilst being treated to a stunning stage show from nationally acclaimed entertainers, followed by a disco and dancing until late! With all of this set in the dazzling surroundings of the Pavilions Arena, you will need to snap up tickets fast as numbers

April 27 LED ZEPPELIN MASTERS Fronted by Zep Boys powerhouse vocalist Vince Contarino and bolstered by the breathtaking might of The Black Dog Orchestra, the timeless legacy of Page, Plant, Bonham and Jones will scale new heights of hard rock majesty and symphonic grandeur from the raw, metallic blues of Whole Lotta Love to the epic Stairway to Heaven and the sheer exhilaration of Kashmir. Don’t miss this explosive celebration of the music of Led Zeppelin in one of the most ambitious concerts ever to meet the stage.

May 5 THE KOOKS To celebrate a decade together as a band, The Kooks have announced their ‘Best Of’ UK Tour The run of seventeen headline shows takes in Plymouth.

May 6 JIMMY CARR The Best Of, Ultimate Gold, Greatest Hits Tour. Plymouth Pavilions are thrilled to announce that Jimmy Carr will be returning to the city for another hit tour in 2017!

May 16 ADAM ANT Following the hugely successful Kings of the Wild Frontier tour earlier this year, which saw Adam play his classic and now iconic album to over 30,000 fans in sold out venues across the UK, Adam Ant has announced ANTHEMS The Singles Tour.

Retired nurse Sandra Gent spent 40 years with the NHS - and most of that time on her feet.

In later life she developed arthritis in her feet and toes which caused her increasing levels of pain.

Sandra had also been diagnosed with osteoporosis in the lower spine and left hip and the combination of the two conditions seriously affected her balance and stability.

“I also suffered severe spasms in my feet and legs which often led to me shrieking in pain,” said Sandra, who retired eight years ago.

“I could never find comfortable shoes and the situation was getting worse and worse.

I was in constant pain and got extremely fed up with it all. My posture was badly affected and I was stooping all the time.

“I didn’t think my GP could help, so I decided to visit Foot Solutions in Royal Parade.”

Sandra, who lives in Hooe, said: “The member of staff who looked after me was absolutely marvellous. He could not have been more helpful and attentive. He carried out all sorts of tests on my feet, which revealed some of the likely reasons behind my pain.”

Sandra purchased over the counter supports while her customised arch supports were specially manufactured for her. She also bought ‘house’ shoes to wear at home with the supports, along with footwear for outdoors and walking.

“The results have been amazing,” said Sandra. “It has changed everything. My posture is better, my spine is better and I am totally free of pain in my feet and legs.”

Sandra, who enjoys going for walks with her husband Jeremy, added: “I used to dread going for walks because I was in so much pain. Now I can’t wait to go walking. We love the area where we live and particularly enjoy walks around Hooe, Radford Lake and Jennycliff.

“Thanks to Foot Solutions I can look forward to lots more of my favourite walks!”

34 Royal Parade, Plymouth PL1 1DU

t: 01752 222660

www.footsolutions.co.uk/plymouth

Former nurse Sandra praises Foot Solutions

WHAT’S ON

Music Mar 1 INTERNATIONAL CONCERT SERIES Duke of Cornwall Hotel, Millbay Road, Plymouth. Mike Hatchard and Heather Rees piano and dance. Tickets £10 from the Duke of Cornwall Hotel, 01752 275850 Mar 5 PLYMOUTH JAZZ CLUB Royal British Legion Club, Crownhill Steve Waterman with the Neil Burns Trio. One of the UK’s finest trumpeters with guitar maestro Neil Burns Trio in a programme of easy listening mainstream jazz.

Details 01752 721179 or www. plymouth-jazz-club.org.uk Mar 8 and Apr 5 MEGAN GARRITY Hope Baptist Church, Peverell Live classical music for babies, toddlers and their adults at 10.30am. Megan Garrity (harp) will perform a short and

varied programme suitable for young children. Tickets £5 for an adult + child; £2 for each additional person (adult or child); £8 for a family ticket, from kneehighconcerts@gmail.com

- soprano and Pierre-Emmanuel Largeron - violin. Haydn: Little Organ Mass; Bach: Violin Concerto in A minor; Vivaldi: Nulla in mundo pax sincera. Peninsua Arts Box Office 01752 585050

Mar 10 PLYMOUTH AREA POLICE CHOIR Ford Park Cemetery 7.30pm.

Details from Bob Sheldrake 01752 406995

Mar 19 PLYMOUTH JAZZ CLUB Royal British Legion Club, Crownhill The Sussex Jazz Kings. Traditional jazz band highly popular on the jazz club scene, making a welcome return visit to Plymouth Jazz Club. Details 01752 721179 or www.plymouth-jazz-club.org.uk

Mar 15 to Mar 18 SWEENEY TODD: THE DEMON BARBER OF FLEET STREET Devonport Playhouse Sounds Musical Theatre Company and 10 piece orchestra, musical director Marcus Alleyne, codirector Amanda Paddison.

Tickets £13 - £7 01752 510934 Mar 16 SPRING CONCERT St Andrew’s Church, Plymouth Plymouth University Orchestra.

Free admission.

Mar 18 SACRED VOICES St Andrew’s Minster Church, Plymouth University of Plymouth Choral Society and Sinfonia, conductor Simon Ible, with Augusta Hebbert

Racing Fixtures 2017

Mar 22 PLYMOUTH SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA Plymouth Guildhall at 7.30pm Conductor Anne Kimber, with Martin James Bartlett - piano. See feature on pages 26 and 27.

Mar 24 PLYMOUTH UNIVERSITY STUDENT COMPOSERS CONCERT The Sherwell Centre, Plymouth University. Free admission. Box Office 01752 585050 Mar 24 BOURNEMOUTH SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA Plymouth Guildhall. Conductor Michael Seal, with Emma Johnson

- clarinet. Including Beethoven: Egmont Overture; Mozart: Clarinet Concerto; Sibelius: Symphony No.2. Tickets from 01752 267222 Mar 26 CARLTON BIG BAND The Duke of Cornwall Hotel Swing/Jazz/Ratpack/Latin at 12.30pm. Tickets £7 Advance/£8 on door from Duke of Cornwall 01752/275850 or Kerrys Music, 01752/227120 Mar 29 to April 1 CHESS - THE MUSICAL Devonport Playhouse Plymouth Gilbert and Sullivan Fellowship with PSG Orchestra with Darren Lake, Mike Noble, Helen Haviland and Pete Clements. Box Office 01752 600166 or via www. plymouthgilbertandsullivan.com Mar 31 PLYMOUTH AREA POLICE CHOIR Abbey Hall (behind St Andrew’s) 7.30pm. Details from Bob Sheldrake 01752 406995.

Apr 2 INTERNATIONAL CONCERT SERIES Duke of Cornwall Hotel Classic FM favourite Craig Ogden is one of the UK’s most recorded

SoundS of the

Summer

Tue Easter Sat

4 April 15 April

Wed Tue (Eve)

10 May 30 May

Mon Fri Tue (Eve)

5 June 16 June 27 June

Fri Sun Mon

7 July 23 July 31 July

Wed Tue (Eve) Tue (Eve)

16 August 22 August 29 August

Sat Mon Fri

2 September 11 September 22 September

Mon Fri

2 October 13 October

Admission prices: Course £12 / Paddock £19

www.newtonabbotracing.com Tel 01626 353235 Children 16 and under and students with valid photo ID go FREE Group discounts available in advance only

24\

The Plymouth Magazine March 2017

Featuring: Duncan Campbell, Robin Campbell, Norman Hassan, Brian Travers, Earl Falconer and James Brown

h pLuS SpeciaL gueStS h

Sunday 16 July 2017 Live at NewtoN abbot RacecouRSe ticketS oN SaLe Now

early bird (until 31 March 2017): adult £27.75 under 16s £12.75 Full ticket price: adult £30.25 under 16s £12.75 gold circle: £52.75

buy today at

www.newtonabbotracing.com or www.ticketmaster.co.uk alternatively call 01626 353235 Early Bird tickets on sale until 31 March 2017 unless they sell out before. All under 16s must be accompanied by an adult and may be asked for ID. All tickets inclusive of £2.75 booking fee. Gold Circle tickets only available direct from the racecourse.

Music

Apr 7 SIR JOSHUA REYNOLDS CHOIR St. Werburgh’s Church, Wembury ‘Here I am: Send Me!’ A concert for Holy Week. Enquiries Maureen Blatchford 01752 292118. Also at Sherwell United Church on April 8 and Crownhill Methodist Church on April 12.

Trombonist Roger Marks...appearing at Plymouth Jazz Club in April

Apr 8 MINDFUL VISIONS: METAMORPHOSIS, DAYDREAMS AND FANTASIES Sherwell Centre, Plymouth University Peninsula Arts Sinfonietta, conductor Simon Ible, with Nuria Bonet Filella - piano, Marcelo Gimenes - piano, Sam Richards - piano . New works commissioned for the Peninsula Arts Visions series from Plymouth University composers.

Details 01752 585050 guitarists and his five Classic FM albums all shot straight to No.1 in the UK classical chart. Tickets £15 from the Duke of Cornwall Hotel, 01752 275850. See feature on pages 26 and 27.

Apr 2 PLYMOUTH JAZZ CLUB Royal British Legion Club, Crownhill

Apr 7 SPRING CONCERT Mount Gould Methodist Church, Plymouth City of Plymouth Concert Band An evening of music from the shows and other great wind band repertoire numbers.

Tickets £5 from Frank on 01752 223037 or Ian 01752 337400

Martin Dale Quartet with Roger Marks. Top Devon trombonist Roger Marks joins popular Plymouth saxophonist Martin Dale and his Quartet for a great evening of easy listening mainstream jazz. Details 01752 721179 or www.plymouth-jazzclub.org.uk

Apr 12 SIR JOSHUA REYNOLDS CHOIR Crownhill Methodist Church “Hear I am: Send Me!” a concert for Holy Week. Retiring collection in aid of charity to be decided. Enquiries Maureen Blatchford 01752 292118

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The Plymouth Magazine March 2017

/25

WHAT’S ON

Talented young pia with Plymouth Sym Talented pianist Martin James Bartlett - winner of BBC Young Musician 2014 - will join Plymouth Symphony Orchestra for their next concert in March.

The concert at Plymouth Guildhall on March 22 at 7.30pm will feature a number of orchestral favourites.

Martin, who will play Tchaikovsky’s Piano Concerto No 1 in B-flat minor, has been described as a ‘natural and powerful musician’ by Nicola Benedetti and in the Royal College of Music Magazine as “One of the greatest, young up and coming piano talents in the music world”.

He has enjoyed success in numerous competitions and festivals including solo recitals at Wigmore Hall, Purcell Room, St John’s Smith Square and Moscow’s MultiMedia Arts Hall.

In 2014 Martin also made his debut at the BBC Proms. He has performed Gershwin with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Rachmaninov with the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra and has organised and performed in numerous charity concerts.

Tchaikovsky’s first piano concerto is a musical tour de force and one of the most famous works of classical music. The concert opens with Shostakovich’s Festival Overture, which premiered at the Bolshoi Theatre in Moscow commemorating the 37th anniversary of the October Revolution, with Mussorgsky’s dramatic and familiar Night on a Bare Mountain completing the trio of Russian works.

Later in the concert one of the most popular works of the

Guitar maestro Craig International Spring C Classic FM favourite, Craig Ogden brings the best of the guitar repertoire to the Spring Concert Series in April.

The concert is on Sunday April 2 at the Duke of Cornwall Hotel, starting at 3pm.

Craig will be performing music by Dowland, Albeniz, Gary Ryan, Tarrega and more. Craig is well known to Plymouth audiences through his many performances in the city.

He is one of the UK’s most recorded guitarists and his five Classic FM albums all shot straight to No 1 in the UK classical chart. Craig has performed concertos with all the main UK orchestras plus many abroad.

Craig is also head of guitar at the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester, adjunct fellow of the University of Western Australia, associate artist of The Bridgewater Hall in Manchester, curator of Craig Ogden’s Big Guitar Weekend at The Bridgewater Hall and director of the Dean & Chadlington Summer Music Festival.

Craig is one of the most exciting artists of his generation.

He studied guitar from the age of seven and percussion from the age of thirteen. He is the youngest instrumentalist to have received a Fellowship Award from the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester.

26\

•• The Plymouth Magazine March 2017

Tickets £15 available from The Duke of Cornwall Hotel 01752 275850 and www.wegottickets.com/ event/386872

Music

CASTANG WINES

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Your invitation to

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WINE FAIR Tuesday March 14th 2017 10.30am to 9.00pm St Mellion International Resort, Saltash PL12 6SD

The most comprehensive wine tasting in the region This ticket admits 4 people for free* 20th century will be featured. Barber’s hauntingly beautiful Adagio for Strings, was composed in 1938, a time of great uncertainty in the world. The work has become an American anthem of loss and grief and was performed in many memorial concerts for the victims of 9/11.

An American in Paris rounds off the concert on a lighter note, featuring Gershwin’s trademark innovative jazz rhythms, harmonies and wonderfully memorable melodies.

The Plymouth Symphony Orchestra is one of the longestestablished orchestras in the country and the present conductor, Anne Kimber, is only the sixth conductor to have taken up the baton in 140 years.

••

For tickets visit www.plymouthsymphony.co.uk

g Ogden returns for Concert Series

Plymouth Symphony Orchestra presents

Festival Overture Shostakovich

Night on the Bare Mountain Mussorgsky

Piano Concerto No 1 Tchaikovsky Soloist: Martin James Bartlett

Adagio for Strings Barber An American in Paris Gershwin

Conductor: Anne Kimber Leader: Dave Adams

Tickets

Wednesday 22nd March 2017 Plymouth Guildhall, 7.30pm

St. Andrew’s Church, Royal Parade, Plymouth, PL1 2AD, T: 01752 661414 wegottickets.com or on the door

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Balcony £17.50 Concessions £15.50 Ground floor £16.00 Concessions £14.00 Children/Students £5.00

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The Plymouth Magazine March 2017

/27

WHAT’S ON

Major Events Various dates LEAGUE 2 FOOTBALL Feb 28 Argyle v Notts County Mar 4 Argyle v Carlisle Mar 18 Argyle v Morecambe Apr 1 Argyle v Accrington Apr 17 Argyle v Newport Cnty Apr 29 Argyle v Crewe NATIONAL LEAGUE RUGBY Mar 4 Albion v Hull Ionians Mar 25 Albion v Blaydon Apr 8 Albion v Ampthill BRITISH LEAGUE BASKETBALL Mar 5 Raiders v Sheffield Sharks Mar 24 Raiders v Bristol Flyers Mar 31 Raiders v Cheshire Phnx Apr 9 Raiders v Worcester Wlvs Apr 22 Raiders v Surrey Scorchers Mar 4 THE GREAT BRITISH SELL OFF Royal Corinthian Yacht Club, Madeira Road, The Hoe. Join the Miss Ivy team for their first event of 2017 at the Royal Corinthian Yacht Club, an exclusive venue

that is perfect for a Miss Ivy Sell Off, where you’ll be able to purchase an array of amazing goods at rock bottom prices.

There’ll be everything from vintage and artisan clothes, jewellery and gifts on offer, all perfect as a treat for yourself or for a loved one. Entry is just £1.50 with under 12’s free, plus there will be delicious refreshments served throughout the day. 10am to 3pm. For details visit www. missivyevents.co.uk Mar 8 PLYMOUTH INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY CONFERENCE Holiday Inn, Plymouth Three of the biggest networking groups for Women In Business in the South West have partnered to create a free conference, open to everyone, to celebrate International Women’s Day 2017. The event will showcase a number of city and West Country businesses and provide an ideal opportunity to network. Two sessions 12.30pm to 5pm and 5.30pm to 7.30pm. Keynote speakers include Ann James, CEO of Derriford NHS Trust, Helen Roberts, Bank of England’s Head of Technology Delivery and Charles Hackett, CEO of Mayflower 400. The event is free.

Representatives from the three women’s networking groups who are organising the free International Women’s Day Conference on March 8

To book visit www.eventbrite. co.uk/e/international-womensday-conference-march-8th-2017plymouth-tickets-31925387694 Mar 25 ST LUKE’S MEN’S DAY OUT Plymouth Albion, Brickfields St Luke’s Men’s Day Out is now the largest men-only event in the South West. Last year, 750 men walked the streets of Plymouth,

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The Plymouth Magazine March 2017

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Major Events business and original sponsors, IU Energy. Minimum age 11, all under 18s will receive a pint of soft drink. Conditions of entry, rules and regulations can be viewed at www.stlukes-hospice. org.uk/mensdayout

holes along the way!) before heading back for a pasty, pint and a fantastic game of rugby as the awesome Plymouth Albion take on Blaydon.

Registration is just £25 which covers t-shirt, pasty, pint, rugby ticket and the logistics of running the event. Men’s Day Out not only gives participants the chance to have a great experience but also to make a

real difference to the patients of St Luke’s Hospice Plymouth in the last months, weeks and days of life. Last year with the help of our local community raising money through events like Men’s day Out, our nurses were able to care for more than 3,400 patients - a need that is growing year on year: all sponsorship is vital. Men’s Day Out 2017 is sponsored by local

Weddings Proms Baby showers Gala dinners Birthdays

Mar 25 to Jun 3 BRITAIN IN THE FIFTIES DESIGN AND INSPIRATION Council House, Armada Way Explore the history of postwar design in this nationally touring exhibition organised by Compton Verney. The 1950s was a time when Britain emerged from a period of austerity and rationing after the Second World War. Following the ground-breaking Festival of Britain of 1951, design played a crucial role in shaping our ‘ Brave New World’. The exhibition looks at all aspects of 1950s design both inside and outside the home, with a diverse range of objects including furnishings, fabrics, ceramics, cutlery, magazines, machinery and the iconic vespa.

It will also include objects and moving images from the council’s collection. Open 10am to 4pm Monday to Saturday.

Admission free.

Apr 23 BRITAIN’S OCEAN CITY HALF MARATHON Registration is now open for this popular event. Thousands of runners are expected to participate on a route which starts and finishes at The Hoe. Local and national charities will have their coffers boosted to the tune of tens of thousands of pounds. Start time 8.30am.

For registration and further information visit www. runplymouth.co.uk May 13 & 14 PLYMOUTH PIRATE WEEKEND The Barbican, Quay Square & Sutton Harbour The award winning Plymouth Pirate Weekend returns for a family fun packed weekend in The Barbican and Sutton Harbour.

May 27 LORD MAYOR’S DAY City Centre This popular annual event will again be taking place, welcoming the new Lord Mayor into their role. This year’s theme will be based on the famous Sir Francis Chichester, best known for being the first and fastest person to sail around the globe single-handedly in The Gipsy Moth IV.

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The Plymouth Magazine March 2017

/29

WHAT’S ON

Family Events

Mar 2 WORLD BOOK DAY 2017 Central Library, 167-171 Armada Way, Plymouth 10.30am to 12.30pm. Join the World Book Day workshop and use some of the special objects from our collection as inspiration to make and illustrate your own book. Free. No need to book.

May 27 to June 4 MAY HALF-TERM We know that finding a great day out for the family during the holidays is important to you so we’ve put together a weeklong programme of events and activities to keep you entertained.

Pick up a 50 things activities booklet at the Welcome Centre and get cracking on a range of activities and trails.

Mar 7 INTERGENERATIONAL ARTS WORKSHOP Ford Park Cemetery, Ford Park Road, Plymouth 2pm to 6pm Are you a grandparent with preschool grandchildren? If so, this special event in collaboration with our ‘Arts and Minds’ project, could be just your thing! ‘Arts and Minds’ provides painting, drawing, ceramics, craft and textile workshops for people living with early-stage dementia and their carers/relatives. Come along and find out more about the beautiful Ford Park Cemetery and use it as inspiration to create a piece of art. A tour of the cemetery plus tea and cake will also be available. Free. No need to book.

Apr 5 FAMILY EVENT: SPRING HAS SPRUNG Plymouth Central Library, 167-171 Armada Way, Plymouth Flowers are budding, birds are hatching and bugs are crawling and creeping! Come and make your own animal, insect or bird characters from paper and other materials as we celebrate the start of spring. 10.30am to 12.30pm and 2pm to 4pm. £2.50 per person.

Advance booking and payment

by April 4 or pay on the day.

Book online at www.motspring. eventbrite.co.uk Apr 11 WILD ABOUT PLYMOUTH: SNAPPING NATURE Drake’s Place Reservoir and Gardens, North Hill, Plymouth Join us for a nature photography session. Find out how to capture plants and insects in their natural habitat. Be inspired by nature to take the perfect photograph. The reservoir is home to all sorts of bugs and greenery so come along and capture something special.

Free. No need to book. 2pm to 3.30pm Apr 12 FAMILY EVENT: COLOUR EXPLOSION Peninsula Arts Gallery, Roland Levinsky Building, Plymouth University Use the collage and colourful works in the ‘Thinking Tantra’ exhibition at Peninsula Arts as a starting point to create your

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Mount Edgcumbe Cremyll 01752 822236 www. mountedgcumbe.gov.uk Mar 11 LITTLE FELTED EASTER BUNNY 10am to 3pm. In this workshop you will learn the basic principles of needle-felting to create a delightful Easter Bunny from 100 per cent pure wool. All equipment and materials will be provided by the tutor at a cost of £5 per person. Unfortunately this workshop is not suitable for children. A short lunch break will be taken 12.30pm to 1pm (please bring a packed lunch). Tickets cost £15 per person.

Photo: Fotolia©RTImages

own multi-coloured works of art using all sorts of materials.

We’ll also have objects from our collection to inspire you. £2.50 per person. 10.30am to 12.30pm and 2pm to 4pm. Advance booking and payment by April 11 or pay on the day. Book online at www. motcolour.eventbrite.co.uk Saltram House Plympton 01752 333500 www.nationaltrust.org.uk/saltram

Mar 26 MOTHER’S DAY POSY-MAKING Treat mum to something special.

Make a posy made with flowers picked fresh from the garden, meet our gardeners and learn about the different blooms. As it’s mum’s special day you can even treat her to an afternoon tea at the Chapel Tearoom.

Until Feb 28 PUDDLE TRAIL Get your wellies on for a splash around Saltram garden. Hunt for the biggest puddles and then plot them on your trail sheet using the puddle shaped stickers.

Don’t worry if it’s a dry day you’ll be spotting plants and flowers too.

Apr 1 to Apr 17 EASTER HOLIDAY ACTIVITIES Get the kids off to a great start this Easter with an exciting programme of activities. Spring is in the air and the gardens are waking up, the days are drawing out and the Easter holidays are upon us which means it’s time to get out and about. With two weeks of events, activities and trails the kids will be demanding you come back again and again.

Mar 11 and Mar 12 SNOWDROP PLANTING The gardeners will be planting beautiful snowdrops around the garden and invite you to lend a hand. Plant a snowdrop as a family memento, to mark a special occasion or simply because they’re beautiful then come back year after year to enjoy the New Year display.

Apr 14 to Apr 17 CADBURY EASTER TRAIL Easter hunt with a ‘50s twist Join the Saltram crew for a hunt around the garden and claim your sweet reward at the finish line.

In 1957, the National Trust began looking after Saltram making 2017 its 60th birthday. To celebrate they have given Easter a flavour of the 1950s. £2 per trail.

The Plymouth Magazine March 2017

Apr 9 ANNUAL CHILDREN’S EASTER EGG HUNT 1.30pm-3pm. Collect your clue sheet from the Orangery (Cremyll end of the Park) anytime between 1pm and 3pm. Last entry is 3pm.

The cost is £3 per child and this includes an Easter egg! This event will go ahead whatever the weather so come on down to Mount Edgcumbe for some Easter family fun!

Apr 19 BACK TO THE TUDORS 11.30am to 12.30pm. What was life like 500 years ago? Discover why Mount Edgcumbe House was so modern and unique when it was built. Look at the collections to find out more about this fascinating period in history.

Tickets cost £5 per person and include entry to the House and Earls Garden on the day.

May 17 HISTORY AND HERITAGE OF THE EARL’S GARDEN Discover all about the beautiful Earl’s Garden at Mount Edgcumbe and what’s hidden away in all the nooks and crannies. Starting at 11.30am the talk will last approximately 1 hour. Tickets cost £5 per person and should be booked in advance. Tickets include entry to the House after the talk.

• continued on next page

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The Plymouth Magazine March 2017

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WHAT’S ON • Mount Edgcumbe events continued

bentwood lighting and furniture and more.

May 21 LITTLE FELTED TEDDY Why not make a little felted Teddy as a Father’s Day gift. In this workshop you will learn how to make a small jointed Teddy bear using 100 per cent Nordic wools and a needle felting technique.

This workshop is not considered suitable for children. A short lunch break will be taken from 12.30pm to 1pm (please bring a packed lunch). Tickets cost £20 per person.

Mar 18 and 19 DAFFODIL WEEKEND AT COTEHELE Come and see the wonderful collection of daffodils grown on Cotehele Estate. New this year we’re going to experiment with making daffodil sculptures. There will be a display of historic and new varieties of daffodils plus a guided tour of daffodils in the garden.

11am to 4pm.

May 27 & 28 GREEN MAN EVENT The giant figure of the Green Man returns to Mount Edgcumbe as a centre piece looming over the event sitting on his throne of leaves and bark – he will be presiding over music, entertainment, delicious food stalls and fabulous gift and craft stalls. With a childrens entertainment area there’s something for all the family. Entry to the event is free of charge - all day parking £5 per vehicle.

Buckland Abbey Yelverton 01822 853607 www.nationaltrust.org.uk/bucklandabbey Apr 1 to Apr 17 CADBURY EASTER EGG HUNT Bunny’s been up to his tricks again and hidden his secret supply of chocolate at Buckland Abbey. Can you follow his steps around the estate to unscramble the clues and receive you chocolate reward?

Apr 5 and Apr 12 FAMILY FELT Join local wool artist Claire Packer from the Wet Felting Company as she transforms wool into crazy works of art. 11am to 4pm £3 per person.

Cotehele Calstock 01579 351346 www.nationaltrust.org.uk/cotehele Until Mar 2 HOME FROM HOME IN COTEHELE GALLERY An exhibition featuring handmade mirrors, clocks, wallpaper, textiles, porcelain, lighting and furniture. The spring exhibition will feature Joan Bose’s stunning mirrors, Roy Thedvall’s beautiful pendulum metal clocks, mantle clocks and wall sconces, Penny Seume’s wall paper and textiles, Vanessa Conyers’s intricate and delicate porcelain, Stuart Lamble’s

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Apr 1 to Apr 13 COTEHELE NATURE TRAIL A nature themed trail around the estate. Follow a fun, dog-friendly trail from the house to the mill, collecting clues along the way with a prize at the end.

Apr 9, 16 and 23 COSTUME SUNDAYS Come and meet the mill team dressed in Victorian costume.

You’ll be able to watch milling and baking demonstrations and buy a bag of Cotehele Mill flour to take home. 11am to 4pm. The event is free, but normal admission charges apply for the venue.

Apr 14 to Apr 17 CADBURY EASTER EGG HUNT Win a Cadbury chocolate prize on this annual Cadbury Easter Egg Hunt around the garden.

You’ll start at Bunny’s burrow, follow clues around the garden to unscramble the puzzle, then meet back at his burrow to claim your prize. The puzzle is suitable for under 10s, and is fun for the family to do together. Bring your thinking cap so you’ll be able to think like Bunny to decipher the clues. £2 per trail.

May 2, 3, 4, 18, & 19 NANCY BELLE BOAT TRIPS FROM COTEHELE QUAY Starting from Cotehele Quay the ‘Shamrock’s’ support boat, ‘Nancy Belle’, will head up the river Tamar past riverside woodlands, under the railway viaduct, past Calstock and deeper into the valley towards Morwellham Quay.

Throughout the trip there will be a commentary on the valley’s fauna, flora and history. The trip will last approximately 2 hours.

Please wear clothing suitable to the predicted weather.

May 29 to June 2 STICK WEEK AT COTEHELE We’ll make a variety of toys and art using a variety of sticks.

Everything from hobby horses to mini horses, wild art, wands and more.

The Plymouth Magazine March 2017

Family Events

Stiltskin’s varied programme of events at the Soapbox Theatre Plymouth’s Stiltskin Children’s Theatre Company will be staging a range of performances and special events at the Soapbox Children’s Theatre in Devonport Park this summer.

The programme begins with Stiltskin’s presentation of The Town Mouse and The Country Mouse from March 15 to 25.

The Country Mouse is so excited waiting for the visit of his cousin The Town Mouse. When she arrives, he cannot see her arrogance no matter what anyone else tells him.

The Town Mouse brags of her home and The Country Mouse dreams of visiting. So, when she offers to take him to the city he jumps at the change. What will happen to them both when they venture together to the city, a place The County Mouse could never imagine. Join Stiltskin bring this tale to life with Puppets, music and clog dancing!

Splash! from May 2 to 26 is a theatre show for tiny people from six months to five years. Immerse yourself in a watery world with fish friends and other curious characters from under the sea. Designed to delight tiny audiences and their big people with colour movement sound, touch and visual enchantment engaging imaginations and telling a watery story of above and below the sea Spellbound – Stiltskin’s popular arts, crafts, story-telling and theatre festival is back at The Soapbox on May 20 and 21. A perfect way to spend the weekend dressing up as a fairy or goblin, listening to stories, joining in workshops, being entertained by beautiful daft or extraordinary characters, listening to music and generally having a spellbinding time!

Rumplestiltskin in July is an adaptation of the Grimm brothers traditional children’s tale - a story of fairies, greed and revenge. Rumplestiltskin turns straw into gold and wants to steal the king’s baby – who is more precious than any jewel. This story is a family show using puppets, visual theatre and fantastic costumes and sets.

••

For further information visit www.stiltskin.org.uk

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The Plymouth Magazine March 2017

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WHAT’S ON

May Festival is highlight of Royal Wi Award-winning Royal William Yard in Plymouth is gearing up for a calendar of spectacular events for 2017, promising an eclectic mix of high quality activities and experiences for the whole family.

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The Plymouth Magazine March 2017

New for 2017 will be the Royal William Yard Festival on May 27 and 28 which promises to celebrate peninsula living and everything the beautiful West Country has to offer.

The festival will showcase some top West Country musical talent, and bring areas of the historic ex-naval victualling yard to life with beautiful classic cars, motor bikes and boats providing the backdrop to six stages, dotted around the yard offering an array of musical styles.

There will be a relaxed, Balearic-style sundowners bar and a main evening event in the Factory Cooperage with bands, DJs and a cabaret and cocktail bar.

There will also be a host of great, locally caught street food on offer, including tasty treats from the Bigbury-based Oyster Shack and wine from the award-winning Sharpham Estate near Totnes via Royal William Yard’s Le Vignoble.

This year more events than ever have been planned as the Royal William Yard gears up for the international Mayflower 400 celebrations in 2020.

But firm favourites will be returning to the Yard, including the giant screen on the green for Wimbledon between July 3 and 16 and the Weekend of Wonders on September 9 and 10.

The award winning Good Food Market returned in February on the last Sunday of the month and The Yard Sessions will be back in the Spring, situated close to River Cottage, overlooking the water.

Royal William Yard events manager Jim Pascoe said: “We’ve made sure all our popular annual events return but this year there will be even more to see and do.

“Our new Royal William Yard festival really will celebrate everything Devon and Cornwall has to offer.

“From wonderful waterside living to great food, wine and musical talent, the festival will represent the best of the West Country and will have something for everyone to enjoy.”

••

For more information visit the website at www.royalwilliamyard.com

Exhibitions and Other Events

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WHAT’S ON A scene from Ibsen’s Hedda Gabler... live from the National Theatre in March

National Theatre performances to be screened live at Plymouth Arts Centre Plymouth Arts Centre is expanding its Event Cinema repertoire to stream NT Live events, allowing theatre-goers in Plymouth to watch great shows broadcast live from the National Theatre in the comfort of its cinema, at a fraction of the cost of a trip to London.

Ibsen’s Hedda Gabler will be the first NT Live Production shown on Tuesday March 14, from one of the world’s most

exciting directors, Ivo van Hove. This is to be followed by Twelfth Night, starring Tamsin Greig as Malvolio, on Thursday April 6 and Tom Stoppard’s Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead with Daniel Radcliffe on Thursday April 20.

Each broadcast is filmed in front of a live audience in the theatre, and cameras are carefully positioned throughout the auditorium to ensure that cinema audiences get the ‘best seat in the house’ view of each production. Where

The Public Cost of Private Medical Treatment Every year many people in the UK choose to have private medical treatment or have part of their NHS treatment provided by a private organisation believing they will receive better care. Unfortunately, however, it is still possible for things to go wrong.

It is estimated that up to 6,000 patients a year require NHS care following treatment at a private hospital as a result of poorly performed surgery. Almost 2,500 of those cases are deemed to be emergencies where patients have to be rushed to their nearest NHS hospital, often for life saving treatment.

A recent report by the British Medical

Association (BMA) suggests that some private hospitals lack sufficient intensive care beds to deal with emergencies if things go wrong during surgery. It is also reported that many private hospitals have inadequate medical cover for when mistakes occur.

The BMA report highlights concerns about the training of doctors and nurses at non-NHS hospitals and worries that private organisations are leaving the NHS to deal with any complications. The report warns that patients are not always assessed properly and some private hospitals fail to monitor what happens after surgery.

Wolferstans has seen an increase in the number of clients contacting us following complications arising from private treatment.

One such case involved breast augmentation where the private surgeon failed to provide the patient with sufficient information during the pre-operative consultation as to what to expect in relation to the surgery, recovery time or potential risks and complications. Having undergone surgery, the patient not only developed post-operative complications but remained very dissatisfied with the results. She sought a second opinion and was advised that

she had undergone the wrong type of operation for the result she had expected and that her surgeon ought to have discussed this with her during her pre-operative consultation. As a result the patient underwent a second operation but remained embarrassed by her appearance and developed depression as a result. During the course of the claim, evidence for the Claimant confirmed that the surgeon failed to understand the patient’s exact requirements and discuss the need for a different type of augmentation at the outset, representing substandard treatment. The Claimant was awarded £20,000 in damages.

Wolferstans’ clinical negligence team have a wealth of experience in all kinds of negligence claims, against both the NHS and private healthcare providers, and their specialist lawyers regularly help people recover compensation for any physical or psychological injuries sustained as a result of substandard care.

If you or a member of your family have suffered an injury as a result of medical negligence and you would like to receive some free initial legal advice, without obligation, please contact Jodie O’Connor on 01752 292360 or email her at jo’connor@wolferstans.com

www.wolferstans.com Wolferstans your local medical negligence experts, here for you when you need us

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The Plymouth Magazine March 2017

Exhibitions and Other Events

these cameras are placed is different for each broadcast, to make sure that cinema audiences enjoy the best possible experience every time.

Satellites allow the productions to be broadcast live to cinemas, which can also broadcast the productions ‘as live’ at a later date.

A successful Crowdfunder Campaign in 2016 raised funds for the centre to invest in the equipment necessary to Director Pablo Larrain’s ‘Jackie’ is screen live events, and the screened in March past year has seen sellout screenings of The Tempest and King Lear from the RSC Theatre and Romeo and Juliet from the Kenneth Branagh Theatre.

Highlights of the film programme in March include La La Land (Mar 1, 2, 4, 7 and 9), Moonlight (Mar 10, 11, 15 and 16); Jackie (Mar 10, 11, 15 and 16); Toni Erdmann (Mar 17, 18, 21, 22 and 23); Loving (Mar 17, 18, 21, 22 and 23); Elle (Mar 24, 25, 28, 29 and 30) and Prevenge (Mar 24, 25, 28, 29 and 30)

•• Local exhibitions

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Until Mar 4 PLYMOUTH SOCIETY OF ARTISTS: LAND AND WATER The Council House, Armada Way View an exhibition of works by selected members of the Plymouth Society of Artists (PSA), all of which have been inspired by the land or the sea. The majority of the pieces on display will be for sale so it’s also an opportunity for you to purchase an original work of art if something catches your eye.

10am to 4pm Monday to Saturday. Admission free.

Until Mar 13 THE 21 GROUP OF ARTISTS Theatre Royal Gallery, Royal Parade Exhibition of paintings and hand-made prints by The 21 Group of Artists.

This group of artists are from Devon and East Cornwall and are celebrating 50 years of showing work. Open Monday to Saturday 10.30am-10.30pm on performance days (to 6pm on non-performance days) Further details at www.21Group-of-artists.com or call 01752 668282 Until Mar 18 MALCOLM LE GRICE: PRESENT MOMENTS AND PASSING TIME Peninsula Arts Gallery & Plymouth Arts Centre Come and see an exhibition that spans 50 years of innovation in painting, film, video and digital art in an exhibition that celebrates the ground-breaking work of Plymouth-born Malcolm Le Grice, who has exhibited across the UK, Europe and in New York. This is a History Centre partnership project delivered by Peninsula Arts and Plymouth City Council (Arts and Heritage).

Mar 25 to June 3 BRITAIN IN THE FIFTIES: DESIGN AND ASPIRATION The Council House, Armada Way See a vision of the country from 60 years ago as we explore the history of post-war design in this nationally touring exhibition organised by Compton Verney. The 1950s was a time when Britain emerged from a period of austerity and rationing after the Second World War. This exhibition looks at all aspects of design from that decade both inside and outside the home, with a diverse range of objects including furnishings, fabrics, ceramics, cutlery, magazines, machinery and the iconic Vespa. It will also include objects and moving images from Plymouth’s collections.

10am to 4pm Monday to Saturday. Admission free.

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TRAVEL MATTERS

Counting the cost of hidden holiday ‘extr Booking a holiday should always be an exciting experience - whether visiting a travel agent or making the arrangements yourself, the objective is usually making plans for something you can really look forward to.

specifically about the destination you plan to visit rather than the country.

From the July last year a ‘Sustainable Tourism Tax’ was enforced by the local authorities for everyone over the age of 15 visiting the Balearic Islands (Majorca, Ibiza and Menorca).

The levy and system is similar to that of other European resorts - up to €2.20 per person per night depending on the category of accommodation and duration of the stay.

Notably though, tourist apartments and even private homes rented to tourists are subject to these charges on the islands.

My advice to holidaymakers would be to check the small print in the breakdown of accommodation costs very carefully before confirming the booking or ask your travel agent to quote you a price fully inclusive of all tourist taxes if possible.

However, this enjoyable process can sometimes be marred by the discovery of some unpleasant surprises and unexpected additional charges along the way. The price we initially see isn’t necessarily the price we pay and this has become ever more apparent in recent years when making bookings for flights only.

Elements of a flight booking that were once taken for granted to be included in the ticket price are now often being charged as optional extras such as luggage, seat selection and on board food and drinks. This month, I would like to try and make you aware of various other additional charges that are being imposed on tourists, notably I don’t think we have reached the stage the ‘tourist tax’ that many hotels in where tourist taxes are significant enough destinations worldwide now add to the to deter people from visiting particular cost of your accommodation. areas but it is important to be aware of what A number of destinations now impose the charges are and to factor these in to what is referred to as a tourist tax and this the overall holiday cost. This is particularly is ultimately re-invested in sustainable relevant if travelling to the USA where they tourism projects. However, many visitors could mount up and make a significant

By Travel Expert are still not aware of the existence of difference. such taxes as fees of this nature have Anyone planning to travel through London previously been included as part of their Gatwick Airport should be aware of some accommodation cost. significant terminal changes that have During the past 12 months, I have noticed that an increasing recently taken place with the airport’s larger resident airlines. number of tour operators and accommodation only agents British Airways at Gatwick has moved from the North are beginning to exclude tourist taxes in the final hotel price Terminal to the South Terminal and all BA flights will therefore whilst some still include it. This can cause confusion as to now operate from the South Terminal. which provider is offering you the best price, so please bear Virgin Atlantic have switched in the other direction and this in mind when booking. all their flights will now operate from the North Terminal.

For accommodation in the USA, local tourist taxes can Easyjet, which now has quite a substantial operation at amount to as much as $35 per room per night. In Italy and Gatwick also have plans to transfer most if not all flights to Spain, the nightly rate is dependent on the category of the North Terminal. accommodation and is payable for a maximum of 10 nights.

However, for the time being, they are asking travellers to For example, guests staying at a 3-star hotel in Rome may check their individual flight booking for terminal information be required to pay €2 per person per night whereas those in as they will continue to operate from both terminals until 4 & 5-star category hotels will be more likely to pay €3 per further notice. person per night - up to a maximum of €30,regardless of the These changes are significant for all the airlines holiday duration. concerned and have taken an enormous amount of logistical Many cities and regions have their own specific rules and planning, which culminated in a huge and highly complex exclusions relating to tourist taxes as the rates are often transfer¬†operation in January. determined at a regional level. An example of this is Venice I feel that this news slipped under the radar somewhat where children under 16 are completely exempt, but the despite its relevance to passengers so please make nightly tax for adults staying in 5-star accommodation is €5 yourselves aware in advance as this can affect car parking, per person. transport to the airport and use of airport lounges. It is In some cases, tourist taxes are also imposed on guests possible to transfer between terminals using the free staying in B&B accommodation and self catered apartments landside monorail but bookings for airside airport lounges will - not just hotels. Barcelona and the surrounding region of need to be amended if you have booked access in the wrong Catalonia apply a different variation of tourist tax to the terminal. other parts of mainland Spain with nightly rates ranging Finally this month following on with the theme of extra from €0.45 to €2.50 per person so it is worth checking more charges, I would like to once again raise the issue of airline

Anthony Goord

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The Plymouth Magazine March 2017

seat selection. I appreciate that I covered this in a recent article but I feel some further clarification may be useful as it continues to cause unnecessary worry for some families travelling together on flights.

When airlines look at seat allocation procedures, their priority should always be to seat children adjacent to, or close by parents, guardians or accompanying adults on the flight.

However, it should be noted that this is only their objective and that they have no legal obligation or requirement to sit family groups together. The policy and guidelines from a safety perspective stipulate that young children and infants, who are accompanied by adults, should ideally be seated in the same seat row as the adults.

Children and accompanying adults should not be separated by more than one aisle. Where this is not possible, children should be separated by no more than one seat row from accompanying adults. This is because the speed of an emergency evacuation may be affected by adults trying to reach their children.

Whenever several infants and children are travelling together, the airline should make every effort to ensure that they can be readily supervised by the responsible accompanying adults. If seat allocation together is not possible at check-in, flight attendants on board will always try to ensure families end up together by asking other passengers to move. However, some passengers are not always co-operative, particularly when they have paid to reserve specific seats in advance and this can result in disappointment.

To avoid the anxiety of your family possibly being separated on the aircraft, ask your travel agent at the time of booking if you can pre-book your seats and to run through the cost of doing this.

Most airlines and tour operators now charge a fee to select seats, either at the booking stage or after your e-ticket has been issued.

Some scheduled airlines such as British Airways and Virgin will allow you to select your seat free of charge within 24 hours of departure when you check-in online. However, many seats will already be taken as they also offer the option to select seats for a fee at the booking stage. If you decide to wait until the online check-in stage and there are no seats together, the only remaining option is to request seats at the airport check-in desk.

Some of the low cost airlines like Ryanair, Easyjet and Flybe will allow you to select seats at the booking stage for a fee.If you skip this process to avoid the fee, they will simply allocate seats to you when you check-in online and if you attempt to change the allocated seats at this point, there will be a charge.

I would strongly urge families to consider factoring in the cost of seat selection when they plan their holiday. I have known families to be separated on flights, which has spoilt the beginning of their holiday so I would urge you to consider how important this is to you at the booking stage and to prevent any upset on departure day.

Happy Holidays! www.cornerstonevision.com

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f those ras’

The Plymouth Magazine March 2017

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Leading independent estate agents Mansbridge Balment achieved a host of successes in 2016 - providing the perfect springboard for further growth in 2017.

The company was named as the best estate agents in Plymouth by the ‘Trip Advisor of Estate Agency’, website allAgents.co.uk, based on the number of five star reviews made by customers. In addition Mansbridge Balment is currently one of the top 50 of 16,000 estate agents in the country thanks to the many positive reviews it receives.

One of the staff at its City branch in Mannamead Road was also awarded the title of best overall agent in PL4. Assistant manager Tess Denley won the Gold People Award from allAgents.co.uk for best customer experience with nearly 30 five star reviews.

Tony Carlton, manager at Mansbridge Balment’s North Plymouth branch received the same Gold Award as best overall agent in PL6.

There was also success for Mansbridge Balment when it was shortlisted by the Relocation Agency Network (RAN) as the South West Agent of the Year category. The company was one of only two estate agents in the region at the 2016 awards ceremony held in London.

RAN is a national network of 650 specially selected independent agents which helps families and individuals looking to relocate to other areas of the UK, buy and sell property.

Mansbridge Balment has a close association with the network, having been designated as a RAN agent for seven consecutive years.

Selection is by invitation, and only if agents successfully meet a range of requirements, such as quality of service, knowledge, expertise and a commitment to the highest levels of customer engagement.

Mansbridge Balment managing director Darren Lawson said: “When you consider the winning agent has 16 offices, to be in that kind of company really shows that we are an agency more than capable of mixing it with the big boys.”

“We have already enjoyed a great year of success with a string of awards for our Gold Standard service and being shortlisted for the RAN awards is an equally great achievement to me. It is something every member of the team should take enormous pride in.”

The company’s success is not only reflected in the awards it has received - but also in the number of successful property transactions in 2016.

Based on Land Registry data for properties in postcodes PL1 to PL6, Mansbridge Balment achieved more sales than any other estate agents in the city - including resale and new build.

And in the important £450,000 to £550,000 price bracket Mansbridge Balment was responsible for more than 70 per cent of all sales in PL1 to PL6 - compared with just 11 per cent achieved by their closest competitor.

Latest statistics show that in 2016 the agency’s two Plymouth branches agreed sales on over £10 million worth of properties that had failed to sell with another agent.

Chris Mervyn, branch and marketing manager at the City branch said the figures were a fantastic achievement and would give every member of the team confidence in the merits of affording their clients the ultimate customer service experience.

“What is particularly pleasing is that these statistics are a clear vindication of our long held belief that we have the formula to deliver the right results for our customers,” said Chris.

“All too often vendors are let down by agents who over promise on asking price and perhaps take a less than pragmatic and professional approach to their customer service.

“This performance, coupled with the Gold Standard awards

Mansbridge Balment setting the standard in customer service

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The Plymouth Magazine March 2017

we received in 2016 for our customer satisfaction is certain to help us in our aim to be the estate agent of choice in the Plymouth area.”

The latest figures also show that in 2016, both offices scored a combined 98.1 per cent of asking prices achieved with an offer on a property received, on average, every 126 minutes.

In a year that posed many challenges in the market, particularly in terms of Brexit and Stamp Duty hikes for landlords and second home owners, both Mansbridge Balment offices still recorded total property sales of over £63 million.

Darren added: “The teams at our two branches deserve the highest praise for this achievement and their hard work and determination reflects our total commitment to customer satisfaction.

“Our ‘Black and White’ nine point customer service promise highlights the point that there should be no grey areas when it comes to selling your home –everything must be in black and white.

“We make this promise because it’s our goal to be the most trusted agent in the area, the first choice for people who want to sell their homes. We believe our willingness to go ‘above and beyond’ for our clients really sets us apart from the estate agent crowd.”

He said that the decision to open its branches seven days a week underlined its desire to provide clients with a level of service not available from other agents, whilst meeting growing 24/7, 7 days a week, consumer expectations.

And he had words of advice for homeowners who were tempted by inflated valuations or discounted fees: “All of our staff have had the misfortune of meeting people whose properties have failed to sell because they have been overpriced. Darren, advises: “The bitterness of poor quality service lasts long after the sweetness of a cheap fee.”

••

Mansbridge Balment 6 Mannamead Road, Plymouth Tel 01752 229292 and Woolwell Crescent, Plymouth Tel 01752 791333. www.mansbridgebalment.co.uk

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The Plymouth Magazine March 2017

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Bathroom makeover delights couple...

A retired couple from Tavistock turned to Plymouth-based Jobel when they needed a complete makeover for their bathroom.

Tony and Varina Smith decided it was time for a change, mainly because Varina was finding it increasingly difficult to get in and out of the bath.

They visited a number of bathroom suppliers, but in the end there was no doubt in their minds that Jobel were the right company to choose.

Tony, who worked for Westward TV and TSW before retiring, said: “Not only have Jobel got a fantastic showroom full of different bathroom styles, but proprietor Mike Freeman and his son Dan are so knowledgeable.

“They gave us so much helpful advice and ideas for our new bathroom - we couldn’t be more pleased,” said Tony.

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The Plymouth Magazine March 2017

Jobel’s team of highly qualified and experienced tradesmen took just a week to remove the old three-piece bathroom suite and install a stylish new bathroom.

The work involved a complete service from planning and design to full installation - including new flooring, electrical work, plumbing and tiling.

Jobel installed a spacious walk-in shower with sliding double doors, fold-down seat and rainfall shower system, stylish basin and WC and new Travertine waterproof plastic flooring with matching grey parallel tiles printed using the latest in HD technology.

The new toilet features a Jollytronic no-touch automatic flushing system, which uses an infra-red sensor for hands-free hygienic flushing.

Tony said: “We had never heard of automatic flushing - it was just one of the many innovative suggestions which Mike and Dan gave us. They really know their business!”

Tony and Varina, who will celebrate their 60th wedding anniversary next year, were full of praise for the Jobel

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installation team, with special mentions for plumber Ross Smyth who installed the bathroom and Mike Harris, who carried out the tiling work.

“The team were extremely tidy, putting plastic sheeting on the hall and stairs to ensure there was no mess and carried out the work with the minimum of fuss,” said Tony.

“The after sales service was also excellent.

Dan carried out a detailed inspection after the installation to ensure that everything was 100 per cent.

“We would recommend Jobel to any homeowners who are thinking of having a new bathroom installed.”

Dan Freeman said: “We pride ourselves on delivering impeccable customer service and were really pleased that Tony and Varina are happy with their new bathroom. It was a pleasure to serve them.”

••

Jobel Bathrooms and Kitchens, 3 Bounds Place, Millbay, Plymouth. Telephone 01752 663010. Web: www.jobelbathroomsandkitchens.co.uk

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CHARITY MATTERS

Raising the roof with Plymouth Ladies Meeting female philanthropist Shelley Coleman with Vivienne Cox on a rainy day in February at Shelley’s Plymouth home was a ray of sunshine, writes Karen Pilkington.

We were here to talk about a relatively new fund raising initiative, charmingly called Plymouth Ladies Charity Club, which despite being just over six months old has already raised over twenty five thousand pounds for good causes in the PL postcode.

Plymouth Ladies Charity Club, PLCC, taking their name from the letters of the postcode, are a group of modern ordinary women who have set up a local charity in order to raise funds for worthy causes that satisfy their criteria – persons under the age of 25, living in the PL postcode and currently seeking funds of up to £500.

They are open for requests from many different sources, often getting referrals through schools or family liaison officers working for diverse public bodies; and have also been able to successfully fund requests from individuals.

“Our committee meets regularly to discuss each application we receive,” said Shelley. “We really do get all sorts of requests, and often find that just a little amount can make a big difference to the life of a young person.”

The group has recently funded the purchase of sensory equipment for one disabled child; artificial grass for the garden of a family with two autistic children with different challenging needs; an art kit for a talented student; and provided bus fares for one student to attend Saltash College from Looe.

It has also helped support an eating disorder self help group, and contributed to the purchase of a specialist sports wheelchair for local Paralympic athlete, Doaa Shayea, hoping to be selected for the 2020 Olympic Games.

“We can also respond to some very personal requests,” added Shelley. “We were able to support a young man with learning difficulties to overcome his fear of horses with some extra special support and tuition that just would not have been available to him otherwise.”

Shelley and the 55 ladies who regularly attend the group are clearly passionate about Plymouth.

“The main reason the group was set up was to give back to local people – so often other charities use the money raised from local events to fund causes outside our region,” Shelley continued. “Whilst this is not a bad thing, we just felt that there

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The Plymouth Magazine March 2017

was so much to support locally that deserved our attention.”

Whilst the focus of the group and its members is exclusively to support others - all the committee give their time freely; their intention is to have as much fun as possible at the same time as raising money.

Vivienne explained that many people are looking to make new friends in the area, and the group has become a great place to catch up with like minded women.

“We meet once a month on the first Tuesday at the Duke of Cornwall, 6.30pm. We charge a token fee, ranging from £3 to £10 per month for membership, depending on what you feel you can afford which all goes into the fund raising pot. We are very friendly, open to all ages and backgrounds, - we even have some brave men who are members - and often stay in each others company for a glass or two of wine following the meetings.

The main purpose of the meeting, other than getting to know each other, is to discuss and plan fund raising events – we’ve already had great fun organising a recent fashion show at the Royal William Yard, Halloween fancy dress ball, sponsored spin, (hardcore cycling workout for the uninitiated), and a Christmas lunch to name but a few.”

Shelley added: “ We like our events to be really memorable – indeed the Christmas lunch lasted over five hours as no one wanted to go home. We had over 170 people, a vintage photo booth, karaoke and a master of ceremonies to help us get into the Christmas spirit, and we really did let our hair down together.”

Now the pressure is on to make 2017’s diary even more spectacular. Events planned are a ‘divalicious’ lunch at the New Continental with cabaret from the fabulous Ceri Dupree on March 15, and a Strictly Come Dancing themed Summer Ball on June 10 at the Holiday Inn. The ball is a chance for some local celebrities to partner with professional dancers from the Lemon Frog Dance Company to sort out the fantastic from the two left feet.

Tickets for these events are selling fast and can be purchased from the club by contacting Shelley at shelley@plcc.org.uk

••

More information on events, attending meetings,or submitting a funding request can be found by visiting the website www.plcc.org.uk, or Facebook Plymouth Ladies Charity Club.

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BUSINESS MATTERS

Plymouth Tree Services - a paradise When Plymouth Tree Services say ‘we can do it all!’ they’re not kidding. Whether it’s selling, servicing or hiring garden and arborist machinery, the independent family-owned business based at the Plymouth Garden Centre in Crownhill offers a one-stop shop for homeowners and professionals alike.

The shop has a full range of equipment and accessories to tackle any job, large or small. And what they don’t have, they’ll order for you.

This spring, Plymouth Tree Services has expanded its range of brands and, with the arrival of the all-new 2017 range of mowers, it’s been a busy few weeks. As part of the expansion in services, they’ve recently taken delivery of wood chippers and stump grinders for sale or hire, after becoming the only sub-dealers in the South West for wood chipper specialists, Orange Plant.

But this tells only half of the story because owner David Elbrow is also an experienced qualified and insured tree surgeon and can offer garden and tree services for both domestic and commercial customers. David provides a free-of-charge visit to assess your needs and offer a quote.

All types of tree and garden work can be carried out, including fencing and decking.

While David and his team are out and about, the shop remains open and the friendly staff are on hand to help out.

For service technician Max Rundle things are about to get busy: “This is the time of the year when people start to dig out their garden machinery and find that it’s not working as it should be,” he said.

“It’s always advisable for people to get their mowers and other equipment serviced before using it, not only to ensure it works properly, but for safety reasons. An annual service will lengthen the life of the equipment, just like a car, so you’ll save money in the long run.”

Mower service rates start from £40; servicing for smaller items and blade and shear sharpening starts from £5.

All the service rates are a set price so there are no nasty shocks when you get the bill.

For those needing a new lawnmower, the 2017 range at Plymouth Tree Services offers a wide choice to suit all plot sizes. Among the new arrivals are the latest electric and petrol lawn mowers from Plympton-based Atco. Many are currently on special offer and all petrol mowers have a five year warranty. The lightweight electric mowers start at £119, with small petrol mowers from £189. Or, if you need a more heavy duty mower, there is currently £150 off a 190cc petrol mower with a Honda engine, down from £999 to £849.

Unlike most outlets, Plymouth Tree Services assembles your mowers for you and carries out a pre-delivery inspection. Petrol mowers are even filled with fuel so you’re

Plymouth Tree Services stock an extensive range of Atco mowers

Mechanic Max Rundle servicing a mower

ready to mow. And they’ll register the warranty for you.

The shop also has tree climbing and forestry equipment, safety clothing, trimmers, strimmers, rotavators, hedge cutters, bow saws and chainsaws. You name it, they’ve got it – or will get it for you.

Among the brands available are Forst and Avant, while just in is a range of specialist clothing from the leading Pfanner brand.

The link-up with Orange Plant means that a new range of heavy duty equipment is also available for hire, including wood chippers and stump grinders. The market leader Green Mech 34hp Arborist 150 can be hired for £95+vat per day. David can deliver it to your site if required and carry out a demonstration. Or, if you prefer, he will do the work for you.

David’s aim when he launched Plymouth Tree Services in 2015 was to offer an unparalleled service to the people of Plymouth and surrounding area, whatever their gardening or arboriculture needs. Less than 18 months on, it looks as though he’s achieved just that.

The business is open seven days a week, 9am to 5.30pm on Mondays to Saturdays and 10.30am to 4.30pm on Sundays from March to September.

For details of the equipment stocked and services offered, visit the Plymouth Tree Services website and Facebook page.

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The Plymouth Magazine March 2017

Plymouth Tree Services, Plymouth Garden Centre, Fort Austin Avenue, Crownhill www.ptsgardensales.co.uk Telephone 01752 774043 plymouthtree@btinternet.com www.facebook.com/Plymouthtreeservices

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/47

GARDENING MATTERS

Japanese Maples ca splash of colo

By Derek Anderson of Plymouth Garden Centre

March is the month where most plants start to wake up from their winter slumber, and one group of plants to wake up with a bang are the Japanese Maples - Acer Palmate.

The foliage unfurls in a multitude of bright, rich colours from golden yellow, lime green, vibrant red, pink, and orange. They have been grown in Japanese gardens for centuries because of their beauty and architecture.

Some of them have wonderfully intricate leaves that resemble lace. They are also slow growing and form reasonably small trees when mature, so they are ideal for small gardens.

In the wild these are woodland canopy trees that are protected under larger trees, often on a woodland edge, and this is the position you should aim for or recreate. As Acers originate in Asia they are used to a rainy season in summer.

Avoid frost pockets. If your garden is sloping, plant at the upper end so that cold air rolls downhill.

For Acers to succeed, you do need to have good fertile soil, as well as a sheltered site away from strong winds. The leaves can get burnt and scorched if exposed to strong winds and strong sun. They are most vulnerable when small, so the best advice I can give you is to buy the best specimen you can afford rather than a smaller, younger plant.

These will be tougher and more likely to establish.

Traditionally it has always been believed that Acers require

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The Plymouth Magazine March 2017

acid soil to do well, but they do tolerate some lime, but they won’t grow on chalk or in very dry shade. I feel that they will be at their best in neutral to just slightly acidic soil.

Plant your acer in mild conditions, either in spring or autumn, as long as the ground isn’t frozen or water logged.

Dig a hole at least twice as wide and a little deeper than the root ball. If your soil is heavy clay, break up the bottom of the hole with a fork and dig in a 5cm layer (2 ins) of multipurpose compost with mixed with horticultural grit.

Make sure you water your plant well before planting. If it is very dry, soak it in a bucket of water for a couple of hours.

Plant acer at the same level as the top of the pot, and back fill with the existing soil and multipurpose compost and water well.

Although Acers do well on low nutrient levels, I feel they do much better if some slow release ericaceous fertiliser, fish blood and bone or chicken manure is added at the time of planting. Mulch with bark to keep the moisture in and the weeds out and keep newly-planted acers watered in their first growing season.

Acers make great pot plants. They look great and they will thrive for years if you choose a sturdy ceramic pot that is about twice the size of the one the acer is already in. Make sure the pot has good drainage holes, add a layer of grit, gravel or broken polystyrene to the bottom of the pot. This will allow excess water to escape but not the compost. In winter, stand your pot on pot feet so that water can escape. Plant your Acer in John Innes No.3 compost, as this loam-based compost is

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an bring a glorious our to our gardens

less likely to dry out. I like to mix in a generous handful of ericaceous slow-release fertiliser to keep the Acer slightly on the acid side. It also slowly feeds it throughout the growing season.

Keep the Acer well-watered while in leaf and check them every week as rainfall is often kept away from the compost by the canopy of leaves. Lack of water or drying out will cause the leaves to turn brown and crispy around the edges and often fall off.

Many people grow Acers because of their shape and architectural structure. Shape varies according to variety, from weeping, to dome, to vase-shaped to spreading, but growth tends to be slow. Pruning should be light, if at all and best done from January to February, when you can see the shape of the bare tree.

Trim out any broken or damaged branches, any die back, and any crossing or rubbing branches. Trimming to shape can be done, but is best done carefully. Pruning too much can take years to gain back. Light trimming can also be done in summer if necessary but best avoided. Acers are excellent candidates for bonsai and have been used for many years because of their slow growth and low requirement for pruning.

There are thousands of different varieties of Acers, and many are grown from seed, most however are grafted on to a stronger root stock, so that more delicate varieties become more robust and stronger growers. Others are also grafted to dwarfing root stocks to keep them smaller. These are the www.cornerstonevision.com

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varieties that we recommend.

Acer palmatum Atropurpureum A tree-like acer with jagged-edged seven-lobed leaves that are a rich red in spring. These go burgundy in summer and then redden up in autumn. This can take a slightly more exposed position and slightly more sun than many acers, but will still fair better being sheltered.

Acer palmatum ‘Bloodgood’ Probably the most popular variety of Acer, it forms a large shrub about 13ft (4 metres) in height. The deeply cut leaves are red in spring, purple in summer and turn deep-red in autumn and this is recognised as one of the finest for autumn colour.

Tolerates a sunny position and keeps its colour throughout summer.

Acer palmatum ‘Orange Dream’ A medium-sized maple often grown for its new orange growth in early spring. This yellows in summer, but keeps an orange edging to the leaves. It’s upright and its five-lobed leaves provide good autumn colour in shades of yellow, orange and red.

A very popular and colourful maple in spring and autumn.

Acer palmatum var. dissectum ‘Garnet’ Deeply divided, rich-purple, feathery foliage and a dome-like habit make this highly popular for containers and for smaller gardens. ‘Garnet’ holds its colour throughout the growing season and then turns yellow and orange in autumn. It’s a dwarf variety that only grows to 1.5m in height and spread, but rarely exceeds 1m.

Acer palmatum ‘Pixie’ This is a dwarf cultivar, with seven lobed, burgundy leaves. Grows into a lovely, leafy mound and takes on wonderful bright tones in full sun. Very happy in a pot and also suitable for the bonsai enthusiast, this is one acer that takes up very little room but looks so stunning. Leaves turn scarlet red in autumn. Will grow no more than 1.5m high and grows happily in sun to part shade.

Acer palmatum Oridono’ This elegant maple, suitable for garden or container, has small variegated leaves with green/white and pink foliage. In spring the new shoots are almost all pink making it a really eye catching tree. The green leaves turn orange in autumn, and in winter you are able to view the beautiful pink and green stripes in the bark. It prefers partial shade as the leaves have a tendency to scorch in full sun.

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• Plymouth Garden Centre, PL6 5NU • 01752 774043 • PTSGardenSales.co.uk The Plymouth Magazine March 2017

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