The Plymouth Chronicle Waterside & West November 2020

Chronicle Plymouth

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Waterside & West

November 2020

Woodside Animal Welfare Trust has made an urgent appeal for financial support See page 4

CONNECT WITH US

COVID UPDATE

Plymouth people are being encouraged to join the Virtual My Poppy Run in November See page 10

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

ALSO INSIDE: • Dial the Experts • Cross Rhythms • Community Job Experience Shop • Useful numbers

Calling all choc-aholics!

Chocolate lovers have a new sweet spot at Royal William Yard after chocolatier Nicholas Kettle opened his new outlet at the historic waterfront destination. Domea Favour - pronounced ‘do-me-a-favour’ is located in the Brewhouse building

• Story and photos page 13

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Rise in COVID-19 cases is a wake-up call for Plymouth

By Ruth Harrell Director of Public Health for Plymouth You may have seen that new risk ratings are now being applied to each area by the Government.

There are now three local COVID alert levels: medium, high and very high.

The rating of ‘medium risk’ is what we expected to see for Plymouth. Our levels are significantly below the average for England; but, in line with the rest of the country, we are seeing increases both in the number of people testing positive, and in the number of people who are becoming very ill with this disease.

Staying at this level is going to need us all to carry on taking this virus seriously, and following the guidance in our everyday lives; reducing our social contacts, keeping our distance and

wearing a face covering when needed.

It is also really important that we follow the guidance to stay at home and isolate if we, or a household member, develops any symptoms, and get tested.

There are some worrying myths doing the rounds on social media, which may be harmful.

Not all information being shared is reliable, so if in doubt please check sources such as the NHS, GOV.UK and City Council websites.

There have been some reports suggesting that testing for the virus that causes COVID-19 is also picking up on different viruses. This is totally incorrect.

Testing relies on presence of specific DNA patterns, unique to the coronavirus causing COVID-19.

The common cold cannot be picked up in the test, as its DNA is different. If a test for COVID-19 is positive, then it can only be responding to COVID-19, not a

common cold, or flu, or indeed any other coronavirus other than COVID-19.

Testing is an essential tool to control the spread when used with self-isolation.

Whether you have tested positive, have symptoms or have been in contact with COVID-19, self-isolation is vital.

Understandably it can present a hard choice for some. There is now some financial help available for those who need it through the NHS Test and Trace Support Payment scheme.

One of the worst aspects of COVID-19 is we can pass it on without even knowing we have it.

Keeping our distance, wearing a face covering and washing hands reduces our chances of being infected. We may be tired of these reminders, but they really are our best defence against the virus at the moment.

So stay well, protect others and keep Plymouth safe.

Helping businesses keep you safe when you are out Public protection officers from the City Council have been out and about giving advice to pubs and other businesses on complying with the new measures to tackle the spread of coronavirus.

They’ve been visiting premises in and around Mutley and North Hill as well as in Devonport and Stoke.

The overwhelming majority of pubs, bars and restaurants complied with the new rules which include offering table service only and closing at 10pm.

The Council team is also talking to a number of takeaways to make sure they are clear that customers are not allowed to linger in or around the premises after 10pm.

Businesses are doing brilliantly to adjust

Councillor Tudor Evans Leader of Plymouth City Council We understand how frustrating it is for people who are having problems in booking a coronavirus test.

This is why we have been pressing the Government to resolve the issue, which we are told is due to a lack of capacity in the national laboratories that process the tests.

If you’ve had a problem, let us know by emailing us at Covid19TestFeedback@plymouth.gov.uk. We are using the examples we receive to keep pushing the Government for urgent action on this.

In the meantime we have worked with our local health colleagues to make sure that essential tests are available, particularly in settings such as schools.

We have also helped secure a new test centre in the city centre, which will be easier for many people to get to than the regional testing centre in Derriford.

As the number of COVID-19 cases rises nationally and we see figures in Plymouth increase too, ensuring people get tested if they have symptoms is a key part of the drive to stop the virus spreading.

So please self-isolate and get a test if you have symptoms, or if a public health professional asks you to. That way, you’ll protect your loved ones and help keep our city safe.

Dr Ruth Harrell, Director of Public Health

to this strange situation and helping their customers get used to these new rules.

It’s not easy for them or for their staff to tell people to go home and we can all do our bit to help them.

When going out, please remember: • It’s against the law to socialise in groups of six or more, either indoors or out • You must wear a face covering when taking a bus or taxi • Use the NHS COVID-19 app to check in when arriving at pubs, restaurants and other venues that are now required by law to record your details for Test and Trace • Wear a face covering until you are seated • Keep up social distancing at all times • Go home at 10pm.

New COVID-19 test centres open in city Two new local coronavirus centres have now opened in Plymouth to help make it easier for people to get a test.

Plymouth City Council has provided the lower ground floor of the Guildhall for one test centre and another has just opened on the Plymouth Marjon University campus.

Both are sponsored by the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) and operated

by Serco.

They are operating in addition to the regional drive-through test centre at the former Seaton Barracks site.

Anyone going for a test at one of the new centres will be asked to walk or cycle there and back and not use public transport or taxis.

Testing is available only for those with coronavirus symptoms – a high temperature, a new, continuous cough, or a loss or change to sense of smell or taste.

Anyone with one or more of these symptoms should book a test at nhs.uk/ coronavirus or by calling 119. The new centres will be provided as options when booking a test, subject to availability.

Those being tested will be told to wash their hands before leaving home, wear a face covering on their journey to and from the centre and to not stop anywhere on the way.

Anyone testing positive for the virus will be contacted by NHS Test and Trace to help them track their contacts.

This will help people to identify who they may have been in close contact with, protecting others from further transmission.

Close contacts of those testing positive will also hear from NHS Test and Trace, asking them to stay at home for 14 days to prevent them from unknowingly spreading the virus.

November 2020

@PlymChronicle

COVID-19: A chance to test your knowledge of how to stay safe So you think you’re acting safely? Got a handle on COVID-19 risks? Know what’s real and what’s not?

Many of us have been really careful about COVID-19 precautions, but with cases on the rise, it’s time to test your knowledge and check you’re doing it right!

1. Do you: a) Wash your hands frequently, regardless of what you’ve been doing b) Use hand sanitiser when you’ve come inside or left a building c) Wash your hands when you remember, or when they get dirty You’re doing it correctly if your answer is a). You should wash them when entering or leaving a building. If you can’t use soap and water, which is best, carry a hand sanitiser, and use it frequently. And a quick rinse is not enough – thorough hand washing takes at least 20 seconds or two rounds of Happy Birthday! Don’t forget the backs of your hands too, and avoid touching your face if you can – it’s the easiest way to spread infection.

2. It’s your turn to pick up the children from school. It’s a lovely day and you’ve got there a bit early. There’s a crowd of parents gathered by the gate. You’d like to join them, but they seem to be too close and are not wearing masks. Do you: a) Go and join them, and put aside any worries about COVID-19 as they don’t look ill b) Go and join them – but wear your face covering and socially distance c) Not join them as there are already six of them talking – and you know you are not allowed to be in groups of more than six If you answered c), you’re right. Infection can happen at any

stage, even when people do not look ill – and not maintaining your social distance is a real threat. Even outside, you can pick up the virus if you’re not at a distance – and social situations are often the cause. Think – mask up, space out!

3. You’re dropping some shopping to an elderly neighbour, who can’t get out. She’s so grateful, she asks you in for a cuppa. What do you do? a) Say thank you, but politely decline – you’re not in her support bubble and you know that she is not too well b) Accept, put your mask on, and keep your distance

throughout c) Take her shopping in and put the kettle on. What’s a coffee when you’ve been taking care all this time?

It’s a) but bear in mind older neighbours, family and friends are often finding the lack of contact hard to manage, so keeping in touch is vital. But be aware that some elderly people are much more vulnerable, and you could be taking an infection into their home.

It’s best to try and limit your close interaction – keep your mask on, keep your distance but make a point of checking up as often as you can. Saying hello, ringing for a chat, even doing a bit of gardening are all ways you can stay in contact, without putting them at risk.

4. Your son comes back from university, so you have a family celebration with a Sunday roast at the pub. It’s quiet and well managed. Later that week, your son gets a phone call from Test and Trace saying he may have been in contact with an infected person and needs to self-isolate. He’s due to go back to uni and he feels fine. He asks for your advice – what do you say? a) He seems fine, and wants to go back, so you can’t see why not.

What to do if you are asked to self-isolate

Making sure that everyone who has symptoms of coronavirus or a positive test self-isolates is an essential part of the battle to beat the virus.

The temporary inconvenience is a small price to pay for saving lives, keeping our city open and protecting the NHS. The Government has now also made it law for people to self-isolate if they test positive or are contacted by NHS Test and Trace. Failure to comply with these requirements, including employers who do not allow employees to self-isolate, may result in a fine of at least £1,000 and up to £10,000 for repeated or serious offences.

If you or someone you live with has any coronavirus symptoms, or you receive a positive test result, you must isolate immediately for 14 days.

You should only stop isolating if you receive a negative test result.

If you are identified as a contact of a positive case, you must isolate for the full 14 days since your point of contact - regardless of whether you develop symptoms or not and even if for some reason you receive a negative test result.

When self-isolating, do not go to work, school or any other public spaces. Any exercise should be taken within your home, and you should ask friends or family to buy food or other essentials.

Those on low incomes who cannot work from home and will lose money as a result of self-isolating and on one of the qualifying benefits, can be eligible for a new £500 Test and Trace Support Payment.

3

b) He is not supposed to travel and so you encourage him to stay at home to self-isolate. He cancels the events that he had lined up including a reunion with his mates, to stay self isolated for 14 days. c) You don’t want to take any chances, so you, he and the rest of your family stay isolated for 14 days. If he’s been contacted, and he’s at home, surely it applies to everyone?

The correct answer is b). If you’re contacted by Test and Trace you must stay self-isolated – it’s the law. However, at this stage it is only your son who has been in contact with the infection, so unless you’re contacted, you would not be required to isolate.

However, it’s a good idea to keep the self-isolated person apart from everyone else in the household, just in case they do develop the infection.

Be mindful of cleanliness with separate towels (and bathrooms if possible), try to keep people to their rooms and take food to them rather than let them cook.

5) You get contacted by Test and Trace and told to selfisolate. Do you: a) Book a test at the nearest test centre b) Stay isolated – if you start getting symptoms, you’ll consider a test then c) Go to work – it’s hectic and there’s no one to cover, you’re feeling okay and your son seems to be fine The correct answer is b), but if you answered c) you’d be breaking the law – and if your employer told you to come in – they’d be breaking the law too. You must self-isolate if you’re told to – but it doesn’t mean you have to have a test. You only need a test if you’re displaying symptoms – and you’ll need to book.

4 November 2020

Woodside’s urgent appeal for help

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Two of Woodside’s homeless cats ..Tiger and (inset) Soox

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A Plymouth pet charity has warned of a homeless animal crisis as it struggles to cope with an unprecedented number of cats being brought in following the deaths of their owners.

Woodside Animal Welfare Trust at Elfordleigh has seen a sharp rise in the number of cats being taken in after their owners have passed away, with figures up by more than a third on 2018.

In just one weekend, another five cats were brought in to the Sanctuary, on the edge of Plympton, for this reason – with this number expected to rise further as winter approaches.

The charity is concerned that COVID-19 is fuelling the record numbers, as cash-strapped families are less able to take in family pets or are unwilling to travel to collect the animals.

A significant number are elderly pets with health problems, placing a massive financial strain on the charity at a time when it has lost tens of thousands of pounds in income due to the virus.

Woodside founder Carole Bowles said: “With figures rising, it is clear that more animals are needing our help for these reasons. The restrictions that have had to be put in place have so many more effects that we can think of.”

Between 2018 and 2019, the number of cats being taken in by Woodside after their owners died rose by a third to 30. But the charity has

already exceeded this figure in 2020.”

Woodside is one of the few charities to offer a forever home to elderly animals or those with long-term medical conditions, who are often unable to be rehomed. They will live in one of the charity’s dedicated old animal units, where they are given more time, cuddles and creature comforts.

But this comes at a cost, which continues to increase while the charity has seen its income plummet to desperate levels. The Sanctuary has lost more than £25,000 from cancelled fundraising events it had organised directly, and its charity shop income has crashed to a fifth of its prelockdown levels in the last six months, costing the charity around £40,000 a month.

Woodside has now made a desperate appeal to help it through these difficult times, by encouraging people to sign up to its sponsorship scheme.

Members, who contribute £20 a year, have the reassurance of knowing that their pets will be cared for by the charity should anything happen to them. They can receive a card from Woodside, to place in their home, detailing what should happen to their pet if they pass away.

The charity is also urging people to think about Woodside when making a will.

Carole said: “Sadly many animals arrive after

being found with their owner who has passed away. The trauma these animals go through is awful and many need time to grieve and adjust, as we humans do when we have lost a loved one.

“Here at Woodside we are able to provide these animals with the time, love and care they require and nurture them through the difficult time. Some are able to go on and be adopted but for many this is not always possible.

“In these cases the staff try to accommodate them in one of their special cat care units, which provide a homely environment where they can enjoy the freedom of the sanctuary during the day. This kind of care is quite unique and not something that many sanctuaries can offer.

“But this care comes at a cost. The majority of these cats are on lifelong medication, special diets or require frequent vet checks. Heating costs are high in the winter. But without this care and the facility, these cats would have no one and Woodside simply will not give up on them.”

To find out more about how you can support the charity, including sponsorship, visit www. woodsidesanctuary.org.uk or call 01752 347503.

Cheques can be sent to Woodside Animal Welfare Trust, Elfordleigh, Plympton PL7 4AD. To discuss leaving a gift in your Will contact the sanctuary either by phone or by emailing management@woodsidesanctuary.org.uk

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50 NEW ELECTRIC CHARGE POINTS SET FOR CITY STREETS More electric vehicle charge points are set to appear on the streets of Plymouth thanks to new funding.

Plymouth City Council has been successful in obtaining £225,000 through the Office for Low Emissions Vehicles’ on-street electric vehicle charging grant.

The money will mean that 50 new, onstreet electric vehicle charge points will be rolled out to help residents with the transition to cleaner, greener transport.

The charge points will be installed next year and while exact locations have yet to be decided, it is intended that they are installed on streets which are predominantly used by residents, rather than in public car parks.

This allows the nearly 40 per cent of Plymouth households who do not have access to off-street parking to access charging infrastructure.

Councillor Mark Coker, Cabinet member for Strategic Planning and Infrastructure, said: “We know not everyone has an electric vehicle and we know that now, in 2020, not everyone can afford one, either.

“But we know that electric vehicles are the future and we have to be ready. We have to make it as easy as possible for people to transition if we’re going to take the climate emergency seriously.”

The council declared a climate emergency in 2019 with a pledge to work towards the city being carbon neutral by 2030.

Two plans were drawn up - the Corporate Carbon Reduction Plan, which focuses on the council’s own operations, and the Climate Emergency Action Plan, which explores the role that the council can play in influencing residents behaviours.

Nearly 30 per cent of Plymouth’s carbon emissions come from transport and the electrification of vehicles has been identified as a key means to tackling this problem.

In a recent survey 85 per cent of residents felt that the council needed to provide more charging points.

More information on the council’s plans to tackle to the climate emergency can be found here: www.plymouth.gov.uk/ environmentandpollution/ climatechangeandenergy/ howweretacklingclimatechange

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‘A New Normal’ photo competition winners are revealed by The Box The winners of The Box’s ‘A New Normal: Life Through a Lens’ photography competition have been chosen and presented with their prizes.

Portia Crossley’s image ‘Disinfecting the Shopping Bags’ was one of the winners.

Below: Winners Chance Peters, Tamara Raw and Portia Crossley

New rules to reduce dog fouling are introduced

Itis now an offence to be out with a dog in Plymouth without means to pick up after.

The competition ran throughout the summer and entrants were invited to submit an image that best captured their experiences of life during lockdown. What does the ‘new normal’ look like?

The quality, quantity and range of topics featured in the entries The Box received was really impressive.

The winner of the ’15 years and under category’ was nine-year-old Chance Peters with an image called ‘Long Walks’.

Chance said: “I have a keen interest in photography. Since lockdown I go for more walks with my family to take photos.

Sometimes I don’t like going for long walks but finding beautiful places make it worth it.’

The winner of the ‘16-25 years category’ was Tamara Raw whose entry featuring a disposable glove floating in water reflects the current times perfectly. Tamara said: “When doing a dawn walk with my camera, I noticed this in the water. A glove. It’s not the first time, it won’t be the last.’

The winner of the ‘Over 25 years category’ was Portia Crossley with her image, ‘Disinfecting the Shopping Bags’.

Portia said: ‘I think the first time it hit me quite how serious this pandemic is, was when I looked out my window and saw my neighbour disinfecting her shopping bags on the washing line! Now it is the ‘new normal!’

Chance was presented with a large goody bag full of items from The Box’s shop while Tamara and Portia were presented with £200 each.

All three images will be displayed in The Box’s ‘Photo Album’ gallery alongside a selection of other images from the competition in 2021.

For more information about The Box visit www.theboxplymouth.com

The rule, which is part of a new Public Space Protection Order, has been given the green light after resident feedback in a public consolation was in favour of the move.

Another change will see the Milehouse Park & Ride car park and green areas in front of the Life Centre, become a dogs on lead zone.

Meanwhile, the current Central Park dogs on lead zone, which covers the Meadow Cafe, Community Sports Hub and Play Space, will now extended to include Cottage Field, the adjacent grass outside of the Life Centre and also the Milehouse Park and Ride car park, after 55.3 per cent of responses were in favour.

The new PSPO, which was consulted upon in July this year, is an update to the previous order designed to control dogs and prevent dog fouling.

Councillor Sally Haydon, Cabinet member for Customer Focus and Community Safety, said: “The dog owners of Plymouth have spoken. Like us, they are fed up of the small minority of people who don’t pick up after their dog and they want something done about it.”

Overall there were nearly 1,500 responses to the three week consultation. Of the 1,454 people that responded, 81.3 per cent said that they owned a dog. The proposal for dog owners to carry means to pick up after their dog was met with 95.1 per cent approval.

Under the new rules, if a dog owner is approached by an officer, they may be asked if they have means to pick up after their dog. If they cannot produce such means, a fixed penalty notice can be issued.

Full results of the public consultation are at www. plymouth.gov.uk/dogcontrolconsultation

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The Social Enterprise City Festival will run from November 16 to 21 with a mixture of online and face to face events, in accordance with guidelines at the time. The theme is Educating the Economy, particularly timely as many businesses are thinking about how to adapt and recover from the impact of COVID-19.

Festival organizer Jess Holliland said: “This year’s festival follows on from our discussions about youth action for the climate during last year’s festival, and the conversations started in the fantastic Regenerate Devon and ALTwork events earlier this year which explored the idea of a new economy and building back in better ways.

“This is an ideal opportunity to look in more depth at what the next generation of consumers, workers and business owners really want and how this can be implemented.”

Research shows that 73% of Millennials (24-28 year olds) are willing to pay more for sustainable products, and 62% of Gen Z (up to 23 years old) prefer to buy from sustainable brands, with increasing numbers in each group taking part in upcycling and reselling.

The Social Enterprise City Festival will look to encourage this younger demographic to consider social enterprise as a model if they want to set up their own business or are looking for a more sustainable employer.

They will also work with those already in business about how to engage with the more ethical generations and what can be done to move our economy towards the more sustainable, caring model that is essential for a healthy economy and planet.

There are over 20 events confirmed so far, including: • Launch event covering PSEN’s plans to make sure the city maintains and builds on its reputation as the most socially- minded city in the UK • ‘No Health, No Economy’ - A workshop from Iridescent Ideas CIC exploring the impact health has on the economy • Information about how to set up a Repair Cafe from Borrow Don’t Buy CIC • A session looking at ethical

entrepreneurship from Marjon • Drop-in surgeries to get advice about using your data better from social enterprise The Data Place A full list of events is available at https:// plymsocent.org.uk/social-enterprise-cityfestival-2020/ The festival is open to everyone, and there is still the opportunity for individuals and organisations to get involved as a Friend of the Festival.

Traditional sponsorship options are also available, with this year’s Gold Sponsors being RIO and Livewell.

For more information about being a part of the Festival, contact Jess at jess@plymsocent. org.uk

8 November 2020

8 November 2020

@PlymChronicle

CPR training at Scott College proves a life saver - literally Ever since Scott Medical and Healthcare College opened, it has been committed to teaching new Year 9 and Year 12 students Basic CPR during each autumn term - and it has quite literally proved a lifesaver.

In the four years that the college in Stoke has run its CPR and First Aid courses, three students and one member of staff have been called on to put their CPR skills to use in reallife medical emergencies.

This year, rather than hosting a whole school ‘ReStart a Heart’ event, the college has adapted the delivery in response to COVID-19 restrictions.

Before half-term, teacher Sherri Mann delivered the CPR training sessions for Year 9 students in Work Placement classes on Friday afternoons. After half-term, she will be teaching Year 12 students. She said: “Some examples of questions I am regularly asked by the students are, ‘Do I have to do the rescue breaths?’ and ‘Will I catch germs/Covid?’ The answers are no - the students are taught hands-only CPR, alongside learning the rescue breaths.

“Teaching CPR, ensuring students build their confidence and enabling them to ‘have a go’ is very important, which is why we have adapted the training to make sure our new students can learn these skills.”

Head Teacher Martyn Cox added: “I am incredibly proud of those students who used

Shoppers as well as residents living in and near the city centre will be able to drop in to a new centre for health advice as part of an exciting project to bring ‘health to the High Street’.

Students at Scott Medical and Healthcare College learn lifesaving CPR techniques

their CPR skills in real life-saving situations.

It shows the value of this training.”

The training comes as the British Heart Foundation stresses the importance of members of the public learning CPR. In a message on its website, the charity says: “Cardiac arrests have not stopped during the coronavirus pandemic. If you have an

Chief Superintendent Matt Longman returns to Plymouth as city’s top cop

Chief Superintendent Matt Longman is the new Plymouth police commander.

He is returning to the city following his posting as police commander for South Devon. Up until late 2019 Chief Superintendent Longman was responsible for operational policing throughout Plymouth and understands the city well.

He said: “I am so pleased to be back in Plymouth and to be working with a fantastic team of officers and staff who are dedicated to keeping the communities that make up this diverse city safe.

“We don’t do this alone in Plymouth.

We work closely with a host of different organisations from the public, private and voluntary sectors to make sure that we get people the right help or support that they need. Making sure these partnerships keep working well will be a focus for my

New £14m health centre planned for Plymouth’s West End

colleagues and myself.

“Plymouth has over 400 officers, PCSOs, staff and volunteers who work hard every day to keep the city safe. I can’t wait to get started on working with the amazing team once again.”

Chief Superintendent Longman began his policing career in Hampshire and moved to the Devon and Cornwall force in 2003. He’s carried out a variety of roles throughout his career including the Director of Intelligence and the Partnership Superintendent for Cornwall & Isles of Scilly. Until recently he worked in South Devon as the Basic Command Unit Chief Superintendent leading the busy team through the force response to COVID-19 and one of the busiest summers South Devon has ever seen.

Follow Chief Superintendent Longman on twitter @Matt_Longman_

out-of-hospital cardiac arrest in the UK, you have less than a one-in-10 chance of surviving. We want to change that by making sure that as many people as possible know that when someone collapses and stops breathing normally, it is important to quickly call 999, perform hands-only CPR and use a defibrillator.”

Chief Superintendent Matt Longman

Proposals are being worked up

by Plymouth City Council for a new, purpose-built health centre on the site of two demolished buildings on the corner of Market Avenue and New George Street, which back onto Colin Campbell Court.

It could include a new GP surgery, a dentists’ surgery, a sexual health clinic and mental health support and a pharmacy - all under one roof.

Cabinet Member for Finance, Mark Lowry, who is also city centre champion said: “There are over 12,000 people on the waiting list for dentists right here in Plymouth. We want to help our residents get healthy, and want to make it as easy for them as possible to access medical or dental support. We are bringing health to the High Street.”

The council has been in discussion with health organisations and a decision has been made to authorise £1,500,000 to develop the project further and to take it through the design development stage. The total cost of the project could be in the region of nearly £14 million.

Cllr Lowry said: “The location we’re looking at is incredibly convenient. It’s near bus stops and is right in the heart of the city centre, making it incredibly easy for people to pop in.

“Only this week we have taken the dated Western Approach bridge down and I know people want to know what’s next for the West End - well, this is one of the ideas we have been working on.

“This project is about this council looking at a huge difficult problem for its residents and working with partners to come up with an answer.

“This also ties in neatly with our economic recovery programme Resurgam - rebuilding our city better and more equal, creating opportunities for jobs as well as helping our residents.”

Councillor Kate Taylor, Cabinet Member for Health and Social Care, said: “We know that the health of our residents is generally not as good as the rest of England and within Plymouth, people live, on average, eight years longer in our better-off wards than they do in the poorer ones. That’s a shocking statistic.

“We are particularly keen to see more dental facilities at this location. We all know about the difficulties families face trying to find an NHS dentist.

“We are taking proactive measures to provide the site, the building and the can-do attitude and are making a concerted effort to ease pressure on our hard-pressed hospital and health staff by preventing ill health in the first place within our communities.”

10 November 2020

10 November 2020

Support the Poppy Appeal as city’s first annual Poppy Run goes virtual The Royal British Legion is encouraging Plymouth people to lace up their trainers this October and November to take part in its free to enter Virtual My Poppy Run to help support service and ex-service personnel and their families.

The Legion’s Poppy Run events, which usually take place in ten cities across the country – this year including Plymouth – are unable to go ahead in their usual format this year due to social distancing measures. Instead, people can show their support for the 2020 Poppy Appeal with the ‘virtual’ version, My Poppy Run. The My Poppy Run participants can choose to run, jog or walk a distance of their choice and get family, friends and pets involved too. Wherever and whenever runners choose to do their Poppy Run, from the treadmill to local park, they will be helping to transform and support the lives of many in the Armed Forces community, raising vital funds to ensure that those who have served are offered the life changing support they need and deserve.

Sharon Wells, Events Partnerships Manager for The Royal British Legion said: “My Poppy Run is a fantastic way for people to show their support for the Royal British Legion and have some fun with family and friends at the same time.

“Members of the Armed Forces community need the Legion’s help now

@PlymChronicle

National award for naval figureheads

The Box’s ambitious project to conserve and restore 14 gigantic Royal Naval ship’s figureheads has won a top national award.

more than ever, and we are working tirelessly to ensure that those who have served are being looked after, no matter what challenges the country faces.”

Ex-soldier Lawrence Philips took out a small loan to help the family get through Christmas, but with Lawrence unable to work due to COVID-19, the debt quickly spiralled out of control.

However, with the help of the Legion’s Benefits, Debt and Money Advice team (BDMA), Lawrence was able to clear his debts.

Lawrence said: “The Legion saved my life. They have helped me sort out both my mental health and my financial health. I’m debt-free and looking forward to starting a new career, I cannot thank them enough.”

My Poppy Run can be completed any time until November 30 and is free to enter.

For more information and to sign up, visit www.britishlegion.org.uk/ get-involved/things-to-do/events/mypoppy-run

The project triumphed in the Restoration/Conservation Project of the Year category at the Museums + Heritage Awards.

The restoration of the monumental sculptures, the majority of which are on loan from the National Museum of the Royal Navy, took nearly two years to complete.

The project was supported by Interreg through its ‘Maritime, Military and Industrial Atlantic Heritage’ project, Plymouth City Council, National Lottery Heritage Fund and Arts Council England.

The work to consolidate, conserve, repair and repaint the figureheads was led by The Box’s conservator Steve Conway and involved experts from London’s Orbis Conservation, South Molton’s Hugh Harrison Conservation and Helston’s Mainmast Conservation.

The team used scientific techniques to identify what fillers, fibreglass and paint had been used on the figureheads in the past. This analysis work included the innovative use of sonic tomography – a non-invasive method normally used to detect decay in trees.

Thirteen of the figureheads, all of which were carved between the 1830s and 1860s, are now suspended from the ceiling a striking aerial display at The Box. The largest, Royal William, stands on the floor in the entrance. To find out more about the Royal Naval figureheads go to www. theboxplymouth.com

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12 November 2020

@PlymChronicle

UK’s first sea-going electric ferry is launched in Plymouth Plymouth Boat Trips and Voyager Marine, Cornwall have launched e-Voyager, the UK’s first sea-going electric ferry. The green ferry will now undergo rigorous running trials, before carrying passengers on Plymouth Boat Trips’ ferry routes from April 2021.

Local Chef is all set to clean up in Plymouth and surrounding areas Adam Cole is launching his own Oven Cleaning Business as part of the Oven Wizards Franchise. Adam lives in the local area and as he knows the area well; he believes there will be a strong demand for his services.

Adam says, “I was looking for a business idea that I would enjoy doing and would provide a great service to local people. I came across the idea of an oven cleaning business and then started to research the market. I soon realised that becoming an Oven Wizard offered me a great opportunity, particularly with the support of a successful Franchise Brand.

Mark Abbott, owner of the Oven Wizards business said, “From the first time we met Adam and his wife Kerri, we knew they would make a great success of running an Oven Wizards Franchise, particularly because of their great passion for customer service.”

Mark went on to explain, “There is a growing demand from people who want to have their ovens professionally cleaned because it is probably the hardest job in most households.”

Oven Wizards have provided Adam with comprehensive training which will enable him to professionally clean all sorts of makes and models of ovens, extractors and microwaves.

As well as Plymouth, Adam also covers Plymstock, Newton Ferrers, Woolwell, Plympton, Sherford and Elburton.

A recent Survey indicated that oven cleaning is one of the most hated chores in the home.

Taking into account the fact that there are over 26 million households in the UK and that nearly each one has at least one oven and a hob, the growing domestic cleaning market provides unlimited opportunities to delight our customers.

Adam is providing an introductory discount for his first 20 bookings - so feel free to contact him to discuss your oven cleaning requirements on 01752 545221 and 07825 954356, or go onto his web site www.ovenwizards.com/plymouth

www.ovenwizards.com

The ferry has been designed and developed in partnership with the University of Plymouth, the University of Exeter, Teignbridge Propellers, MarRIUk and EV Parts, The project has been funded through the £1.4M Clean Maritime Call: a Maritime Research and Innovation UK initiative supported by the Department for Transport and launched to support the UK’s goal of zero emission shipping.

Project leader for Plymouth Boat Trips and Voyager Marine, Andy Hurley, said: “It’s hugely exciting to see the launch of e-Voyager and the result of such a progressive collaboration to create a cleaner and more sustainable future for the marine industry.

“Through developing the technology and maritime applications, Voyager Marine is helping to place Plymouth and the South West as UK leaders in the conversion and new build of zerocarbon, fully electric commercial vessels.”

Support from the universities came via Environmental Futures & Big Data Impact Lab, a £6.4M project to support small businesses, and

the £4M Marine Business Technology Centre, both part-funded by the European Regional Development Fund.

Dr Richard Pemberton, lecturer in Mechanical and Marine Engineering Design at the University of Plymouth added: “Through our diverse mix of staff and specialisms, the University of Plymouth has

supported Plymouth Boat Trips and its partners in both data analysis and regulatory advice. The University firmly believes that the work conducted on e-Voyager will pave the way for larger scale innovation towards meeting the Government’s target of a 50% reduction in emissions from the maritime sector by 2050.”

Messages of kindness bring joy to St Budeaux care home residents Big-hearted well-wishers from all over the UK and other parts of the worlds, have been sending messages of hope and kindness to a Plymouth care home.

Butterfly Lodge in St Budeaux, home to up to 37 residents living with dementia, has been receiving Postcards of Kindness from across the country.

The project offers friendly messages to older people, many of whom are no longer able to see their families due to lockdown restrictions.

“We’ve put up a map of the UK Butterfly Lodge resident Sheila Rowe with a postcard from Texas

with ribbons to show where all the different cards have come from,” said Butterfly’s activities co-ordinator Paul Hutt.

“They’ve come from far and wide – from Texas in the United States to Great Yarmouth in Norfolk – and are a real pickme-up for our residents in these difficult times.

“We’re received almost 90 cards so far. We are so touched by everyone’s kindness. It’s wonderful to know there are so many lovely, thoughtful people out there.

“There have been so many different cards, some are hand drawn or painted, others are of views, or old advertisements, with lovely heartwarming messages.

“We use them as a talking point with residents – we might look at the picture on the front which could inspire someone to talk about a holiday they once had, or maybe a place they used to live.

“They also love reading the messages and are delighted to know there are people thinking of them and sending them their best wishes.”

Resident Phil O’Regan, who is 86, was thrilled to see a postcard from Beckenham in Kent where he ran a Suzuki dealership for many years and sponsored

Butterfly Lodge resident Phil O’Regan and the map of kindness

local motorcycle scrambling events.

Butterfly Lodge is a specialist care home and is run

by Camelot Care in Agaton Road, St Budeaux.

Postcards received from all over the world

November 2020 13

@PlymChronicle

New chocolate shop hits the sweet spot at Royal William Yard Chocolatier Nicholas Kittle - ‘proud to bring my passion and skill I have with chocolate to Royal William Yard’

Visitors are in for a treat at Royal William Yard, as an independent chocolatier has moved to the historic waterfront destination.

Domea Favour – pronounced ‘dome-a favour’ - has set up shop in the Brewhouse building, creating and selling an array of sweet snacks and delicious delicacies.

Echoing the former victualling Yard’s proud food-production past, it now features its very own chocolate factory, with handmade chocolates, freshly baked pastries, hot drinks, and unique edible gifts skillfully crafted throughout the week at Domea Favour.

The confectionary creations often draw inspiration from the region, including a chocolate Smeaton’s Tower and cream tea truffles.

The business is owned and run by chocolatier Nicholas Kittle, who has found a permanent home for his popular chocolate business at Royal William Yard having spent

years operating from a spectacular converted 1940s electric milk float and upcycled horsebox! A regular at the Yard’s Good Food and Craft markets, Domea Favour mobile chocolate shop became a firm favourite amongst visitors.

No stranger to working in a grand Naval setting, Nicholas was

previously head chef at HMS Drake.

After 20 years working in fine dining, he left to become a full-time chocolatier. Nicholas describes himself as a self-taught enthusiast with ‘no formal qualification but a degree in passion and honours in originality!’

Reflecting the sustainable values

of Royal William Yard, its newest resident is also committed to embracing environmentally friendly measures.

Domea Favour uses biorecyclable paper packaging partially made from the husks of cocoa beans and is increasingly turning to compostable bags for its products.

The high-quality Belgian chocolate comes from sustainably grown cocoa beans.

Nicholas said: “I’m delighted to open the doors at Royal William Yard. A workshop, chocolate shop and taste sensation, there is plenty to see, sample and enjoy here.

“I’m proud to bring my passion and skill I have with chocolate to the Yard, and create totally unique handmade chocolates and goodies.

I love to see my loyal customers supporting me and welcome new faces - giving into the temptation of chocolate is always a good idea!”

Find out more about Domea Favour at www. domeafavourchocolate.co.uk

Prize-winning artist takes up key role at Plymouth College of Art

Students at Plymouth College of Art are preparing to welcome the college’s newest appointment, incoming painting, drawing and printmaking subject leader Richard Kenton Webb, who has been announced as winner of the prestigious international Sunny Art Prize 2020.

From the start of November, Richard will join Plymouth College of Art from his previous role as programme lead on BA (Hons) Drawing & Print at University of the West of England. He has extensive experience in various teaching roles at institutions including The Slade School of Fine Art, London and The Royal Drawing School, London over the last 30 years.

He has taught at some of the most respected art colleges in the UK and taken part in many residencies overseas, including The British School, Rome; Cité International des Arts, Paris; SACI International, Florence; LARQ, Tasmania, Australia and Tao Hua Tan, China.

Richard said: “I love teaching. For me, teaching is a vocation, and I’m so passionate about helping each student to find their own unique voice. I’m always looking for new ways to communicate and share complex ideas. My teaching and my creative practice are totally interlinked, I have so much to give at this stage.

“Having visited Plymouth for the past 10 years, I’ve watched as Plymouth College of Art has grown, thinking to myself ‘now that’s a real art school’! It has been my dream job to teach painting, drawing and printmaking at the college for a while - and then it happened! As I toured the facilities, I could feel myself getting more and more emotional. The ethos and mentality of the college is everything I stand for.

“Plymouth is such a beautiful city, I’d challenge anyone to be led up to the Hoe

Richard Kenton Webb

and look out over the water and Drake’s Island and not be moved. Doesn’t it just make you want to jump and dance around?”

Richard is an artist with painting, drawing and printmaking at the heart of his practice, even making his own paints and inks with pure pigments.

He is currently working on a series of imaginative drawings, paintings and linocuts, inspired by John Milton’s epic poem, Paradise Lost, which has led him to new interdisciplinary collaborations with The British Milton Seminar, Baylor University in Texas and The Milton Society of America.

He has exhibited internationally and has work in collections in the UK, Europe, China, Mauritius, Japan, Australia, the USA and Canada. Richard’s most recent shows have been in Texas at the Martin Museum of Art and at the Sokei Academy, Tokyo .

Stephanie Owens, Head of School for Arts and Media at Plymouth College of Art, said: “We are thrilled to welcome Richard as our new subject lead for BA (Hons) Painting, Drawing & Printmaking.

His years of teaching expertise and

experience within his own creative practice will contribute greatly to the programme, supporting a hands on approach to critical thinking, as well as promoting the continued relevance of material-based practices as a whole.

“During a challenging year for both students and academics, this appointment and Richard’s timely win of the Sunny Art Prize before joining us, sets a wonderful example for our students and reminds us all to strive for excellence even in the face of adversity.”

The Sunny Art Prize is an internationally recognised art competition, hosted by the Sunny Art Centre in London. The fine art prize is a global platform offering art opportunities for emerging and established artists to showcase their work internationally. The contest also gives the prize-winners the opportunity to be part of a one month artist residency, with the Artist Residency Programme, which was organised in collaboration with established Chinese Art institutions, providing the chance to engage with historically and culturally rich places in China.

Photos: John Allen

Rallying call for clubs & community projects to come together to support neighbourhoods Sports clubs, Scouts and Brownies, children’s playgroups and faith groups across the city are among those being invited to come together in their communities to best support their neighbours. Since the beginning of lockdown, Plymouth Octopus Project has been supporting the establishment of Neighbourhood Care Networks within local areas, bringing community leaders together with some of the city’s organisations and services to organise immediate help to those in need. POP+, which supports the voluntary and community sector in Plymouth, regards the role of the networks as pivotal in caring for people, not only as the pandemic endures, but to build strength for the future. Now, with winter on its way, and all that might come with it, POP+ is giving £1000 to each NCN and calling on community groups and clubs to join them so that the reach of the networks may be extended.

Keyham has the Kolts; The Hoe has the Catholic Church and Stonehouse, Nudge Community Builders: just some of the organisations which have joined their local Neighbourhood Care Networks and, in doing so, are helping to make the communities around them more resilient.

Matt Bell, the CEO of POP+ believes it really is a case of strength in numbers;

the existing Efford Community Council while community representatives from Plympton and Hooe are currently exploring, with POP+, the possibility of establishing their own.

Meanwhile, city-wide organisations, such as, St Luke’s Hospice; the Citizens Advice Bureau and Neighbourhood Watch have supported reinforcing and widening the NCN’s ability to help people. Now with a further commitment from POP+ of £1000 for each NCN, it is hoped that these innovative community initiatives will be bolstered and ready for whatever comes next.

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

Your Neighbourhood Needs You!

If you or your organisation is already a valuable part of your community, but you are wanting to do more, then, email us on info@plymouthoctopus.org or call Plymouth 395131. We can chat abo ut the ways in which we can support you to make a greater difference to more people.

“We’ve seen already how ‘change’ can be achieved by people working together: how quickly help is deployed; how needs can be met and how isolation needn’t lead to despair.

Through the amazing work of the individuals and organisations who collectively make up the Neighbourhood Care Networks many people, who might otherwise have been left extremely vulnerable through the coronavirus pandemic, have been supported, comforted and reassured. Now we hope to see other local clubs and groups getting involved.”

As news of the NCN’s supportive work has spread through the voluntary and community sector so other community groups and organisations have looked to replicate their success in other areas of the city. Efford is the latest area to launch its own network through

In 2019 POP+ set up something radical: The Learning & Collaboration Fund. The aim of the fund is ‘to do what it says on the tin’: to encourage learning (through ‘doing’) and to encourage existing groups and organisations to work together.

“Funding,” says Charlotte Brew, POP+’s Learning Champion (yes that really is her job title), “has traditionally been a competitive dog-eat-dog world where one person’s successful bid means someone else’s attempts have crashed and burned. We believe, so much more can be achieved through working together, and this fund attempts to get us all thinking differently, more radically, about how we can achieve more, with what we’ve got, by collaborating.”

At the end of 2019 four exciting ideas received almost £5,000 each from POP+, enabling more good works to be done, by more people, for more people:

Culture and Integration Through Food has just thrown open its (oven) doors, opening last month as Jabulani at The Plot on Union Street to thrill us all with global food cuisine. Diversity Business Incubator has joined food-forces with Food Plymouth and Miriam & Miriam to tempt us with delicacies from around the world, bringing us closer together at home.

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Creative Natures is reaching out to young people living in hostels and using art, gardening and plants to encourage growth.

Horticultural Therapy Trust and Free Radical Creations have formed a partnership to nurture positive relationships between those taking part in the project and the natural world.

The Eclective Network can be found doing all sorts of creative things in the community space, Leadworks Factory CIC in Stonehouse.

The Learning & Collaboration Fund from POP+ helped to turn a wonderful old warehouse in Rendle Street into a public space. It is a diverse and creative collective of groups and individuals made up of The Kintsugi Project; Flyinghead Studios; Community Arts; Cawfee Community CafÃ; Pride in Plymouth; Empowering Hidden Voices; Imperfect Cinema & Mothership Audio.

The Big Fix was held in February by the collective Repair, Make and Mend which knits together Borrow Don’t Buy, Timebank, Scrapstore and Makers HQ. More than fifty people brought along their broken, chipped and damaged items and while some were beyond repair others weren’t: a vintage doll, a Goblin Teasmade and a couple of cine cameras were just some of the weird and wonderful items saved-from-scrap.

The Big Fix saved approximately £300 in money; 5.6kg in waste-to-landfill and 50.3kg of CO2 emissions.

Throughout lockdown, Neighbourhood Care Networks, have helped to co-ordinate efforts and volunteers to provide care and support; maximising local expertise to support neighbours-in-need. Within Stoke; Keyham; Whitleigh; Devonport; Greenbank; Stonehouse and The Hoe residents have been reassured to know that help has been a phone call away.

Groceries have been purchased; medicines dispensed, and dogs walked. Kevin Sproston, the chair of Keyham Neighbourhood Watch, is certain that that this is the direction communities need to take; “Every organisation in Keyham has value,” says Kevin. “And we are determined to create a close-knit community. We know that collaboration is our best defence, so it makes sense that as many groups get involved, because, as have seen, we are all in this together.”

Learning Together

A participant in the Scrambled Heads Open Mic event at Leadworks earlier this year Unlike more traditional funding streams ‘success’ is rated rather differently. POP+ is more interested to see evidence of trust & relationships; risk-taking & innovation; inclusion & diversity and learning-throughdoing than it is by ‘traditional’ measures, such as, profit, impact and the number of beneficiaries. People and projects are given ‘space’ to adapt and evolve; changing what they do (and don’t do) as they go along.

The most important element of the whole initiative is almost impossible to measure communication, trust and respect.

Efford latest area to launch Neighbourhood Care Network.

Bringing together community leaders; youth workers; the Headteacher from the local school, community workers from the area’s housing associations and faith leaders, the ‘new’ version of Efford’s Community Council will, with the support of POP+, provide greater support for residents. Embracing the technology of SLACK and twilio, it is hoped the NCN will increase the support already given to residents; encourage new ways of working together and strengthen the existing community within Efford.

November 2020 15

@PlymChronicle

A shiny new welcome to Plymouth The new welcome...by day and night

A shoal of steel fish is now welcoming visitors to Plymouth.

The shiny fish are wrapped around the entrance at one of the North Cross subways leading into the city centre from the railway station and it’s all part of the long term plan to create a more spectacular entrance into Britain’s Ocean City.

The fish - which are made of 316 marine grade stainless steel - were created by Plymouth designer Symon Sweet and local specialist fabricators Stainless Fab Ltd were commissioned to create the creatures splashing out of stainless steel.

Council leader Tudor Evans said: “This is about saying hello in a very Britain’s Ocean City way.

We want people to know how proud we are of Plymouth from the moment they get off the train, walk up the path and see the city centre unfold before their eyes.

“It’s eye-catching, it’s fun and it’s giving a great local company work at a time when their mettle is being well and truly tested by the COVID-19 pandemic.

“One of the key commitments we made as part of our Resurgam recovery programme was to do all we can to employ local companies to keep local people in work. This is a cracking example of industrial and creative talent right here in Plymouth and I hope it brings a smile to people’s faces.”

The commission has been a life saver for the company Stainless Fabs Ltd. Managing director Zhev Liverson said that in the past, the main contractors of development work would often use fabrication and design companies they already had working relationships with. As a result many local companies did not get a look in.

He praised the council’s new more proactive procurement process and added: “These projects have led to the development of Stainless Fabs Ltd design capability and an increase in employment here in Plymouth.

“It’s not only good financially, but it has provided a clear and stable path forward in this company’s development, as we move through this COVID-19 pandemic.”

Massive change is on the cards for the area around Plymouth’s train station.

The Brunel Plaza scheme involves an upgrade for Plymouth Railway Station, along with a major revamp of the surrounding area, including the redevelopment of Intercity House by the University of Plymouth to train the city’s future health professionals; a new hotel and multi-storey car park; and improvements to public areas and links to the city centre.

The corner car park at Station Approach has already been turned into a compound for contractors, planning permission for the Intercity Place project has been granted and the University has signed a long-term lease on the building from Network Rail with work expected to begin shortly.

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Kickstart your creativity!

You can start your studies with Plymouth College of Art as late as 2 Nov for BA and 9 Nov for MA programmes.

Plymouth College of Art (PCA) is an independent, university-sector art school run by artists and designers, for artists and designers and is home to a dynamic, cross-disciplinary community of makers and thinkers for whom creativity is as important as reading and writing. The college offers a range of Art, Design and Digital Media courses – from BA (Hons) and MA Degrees and MA to Extended Diplomas, Foundations and more.

Students joining Plymouth College of Art this year can expect meaningful encounters with industry through live briefs and visiting lecturers, consistent contact time with mentors and like-minded peers, plus unrivalled access to state-of-the-art equipment and resources.

From video-streamed visiting lecturers and roundtable discussions with industry professionals, to online peer-to-peer critiques and technical workshops — PCA’s creative community has responded to the digital

environment with ingenuity. In fact, many students have told the college that they feel like they’re receiving “a more personalised learning experience than ever before”.

The unique curriculum on offer at Plymouth College of Art and the combined depth of experience of expert academic and highly specialised technical staff generates an excellent environment for learning.

In these changing times, with Covid restrictions impacting education providers, many institutions are using digital tools out of necessity. Plymouth College of Art is at its core an agile, independent art school so adapting to fit our evolving digital society is not a problem. Indeed the college is committed to giving its students a head start when it comes to thriving creatively in the digital world.

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

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

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

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

16 November 2020

16 November 2020

@PlymChronicle

£1.3 million Top Conservative councillor calls for grant boost residents to act in non-selfish way for The Box, Plymouth Pavilions So what happens next? and Barbican Theatre Plymouth City Council’s Conservative Group Leader Cllr Nick Kelly has encouraged residents to persevere in these unprecedented times.

“The initial response to the virus of people clapping, painting rainbows and looking out for their neighbours needs to be reestablished as we enter the winter months. The blame game will not save lives and keep us safe. So let’s demonstrate our British spirit and unite to help each other through these uncertain times.

Cllr Nick Kelly “Local businesses have adapted to the crisis and wherever possible look to support them by giving them a fair proportion of your weekly spend.

Grants totalling more than £1.3 million have been made to three of the city’s leading cultural attractions from Art Council England’s Culture Recovery Fund.

The Box - Plymouth’s major new museum and archive - has received a welcome boost of £423,000 while Plymouth Pavilions has secured £726,000 and The Barbican Theatre nearly £168,000.

The grants are part of the Government’s £1.57 billion rescue package announced earlier this year - of which £500 million was made available via the Cultural Recovery Fund, administered by Arts Council England.

Plymouth City Council Leader, Tudor Evans said: “2020 has been such a challenging time for the cultural sector, and yet culture is one of the things that has really helped people get through things.

“We’ve invested in it and it’s great that Arts Council England recognises this. It’s vitally important that culture is supported at a national level too as we move forward with our economic recovery and continue to grapple with all the changes the pandemic brings.”

Sarah Phillips, chief executive of Plymouth Pavilions said: “We really are filled with excitement as we breathe such a huge sigh of relief.

“COVID has had such an unprecedented impact on our industry, and we’re very conscious that many of our colleagues and friends continue to suffer hardship as a result of the pandemic.

“We have been fortunate enough to receive fantastic support over the last six months and my sincere thanks are extended to our partners across the industry, to Plymouth City Council, our local MPs who have championed our campaign at all levels, to the Government and Arts Council England; and most importantly to our fantastic team here at the Pavilions.”

Laura Kriefman, chief executive of Barbican Theatre said: “This vital investment will allow us to continue our extensive work across Plymouth, helping us build people’s creative voices.

“Barbican Theatre is an Arts Council England National Portfolio Organisation (NPO) and a registered charity established in 1980. We are an inclusive organisation and get excited about people creating and enjoying theatre, dance, culture and live entertainment on stage and in unusual spaces.

“We are relieved to be successful and looking forward to creating extraordinary work with the community and artists in Plymouth and the UK.” • It has also been announced that two popular Plymouth venues have received financial support from the Government’s Culture Recovery Fund.

Annabel’s Cabaret and Discotheque in the Barbican was awarded over £134,000 while the Bread and Roses Community Arts Hub in Ebrington Street received just over £120,000.

They were among the big cash winners in Devon, with a total of over £650,000 paid to a total of eight venues in a second round of grants.

He said: “Unfortunately, COVID-19 continues to dominate the news and our lives. However, we must persevere and look to the future with hope and positivity as we all have our part to play in containing and overcoming the virus. Ours and future generations will look back and read about this world pandemic and the lives it has claimed and the havoc it has wreaked along with the actions we took.

“By us all making relatively small, but essential sacrifices, such as regularly washing our hands, wearing a mask and complying with social distancing we will prevent even more deaths and suffering. Most of what we are being asked to do is about applying common sense and acting in a non-selfish way. If you have symptoms arrange to be tested and isolate as directed.

“This pandemic has really affected everyone in their day to day lives, whether young or old, rich or poor, we are all in it together. It’s that community spirit, like bygone eras that will see us through. We need to be proud and thankful for all our amazing NHS workers and all those key workers who have worked tirelessly in very challenging conditions to ensure the country and city hasn’t ground to a complete halt.

“We are in uncharted waters, but by following the expert advice we are giving time to the scientists to hopefully find a vaccine and drugs that can overcome this virus. In the year that celebrates the 400th anniversary of the Pilgrims setting sail from our city, aboard the Mayflower, into the unknown, we must show that same determined spirit.

“So far, Plymouth has not been hit as hard as other cities, but this could alter quickly if we don’t all keep doing the basics, as directed by the Government. There is lots of support and help available to get us through. Government and Plymouth City Council websites can direct you to such assistance.

“Remembrance Day is approaching where we will remember and honour all of those who made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom, in comparison we are being asked to do very little.”

Plans in place for a safe Remembrance Sunday in Plymouth Plymouth’s Remembrance Sunday commemorations will look slightly different this year, as the city adapts to ensure that everyone is able to follow the COVID-19 safety guidelines.

Life is so good for Mish at Klein House in Stoke Mish Burchell, a resident at Klein House in Stoke, is being supported to live a full and active life, despite major health problems.

Mish, 56, who lives with a number of both physical and mental complications, including bipolar disorder, is encouraged to live independently, go out every day, and enjoy walks on Dartmoor, in order to help manage her conditions.

She has lived at the home, which is based on Albert Road, for 10 years with one other resident. They have individual flats, decorated to their own taste, and live as tenants within the protected setting of residential care.

Mish used to live in Africa with her parents breeding labradors, and she still has a great love of animals. She owns two fish who live with her at Klein House and she regularly visits her parents and their dog, Buster.

Like most people, she experienced difficulties brought on by lockdown, but with the help of staff, she is now coping well. She has lost three stone, thanks to a healthy eating and exercise plan, and enjoys regular visits to the cinema.

Mish is also a keen artist and

specialises in painting pictures of people and horses.

Mish said: “I love living at Klein House, because it means that I can have my own flat. I have major health problems, but I’m coping well, and living here has really helped me with that.

“The staff are lovely, and they treat me like an individual. They let me pick out the colours for my flat and they’ve recently given me a manicure. My rainbow nails make me smile every time I see them.”

Becky Saggers, a member of staff at Klein House, said: “I love working at Klein House. I started here during the lockdown and it was very difficult, as you can imagine, but we’ve come out the other side.

“It’s so rewarding working with people like Mish. She’s so positive and fun to be around. She makes coming to work so much more fun.”

Klein House is a residential care home for up to two people. It specialises in the care of people who have a learning disability and associated conditions. It is owned and managed by care provider, Salutem Care and Education.

There will not be a public Remembrance Service on Plymouth Hoe this year. The service usually attracts thousands of attendees so it would not be possible to maintain social distancing and would put vulnerable people, including veterans, at risk.

Instead a service at HMS Drake, attended by the Lord Mayor of Plymouth, will be streamed online and shared through the Plymouth City Council social media channels on Sunday November 8 for people to watch safely from home.

The Lord Mayor, Councillor Chris Mavin, the Naval Base Commander, Commodore Peter Coulson, and representatives from the Lord Lieutenancy and Commonwealth War Graves Commission will also privately lay wreaths at the Royal Naval Memorial on Remembrance Sunday. The Lord Mayor and Naval Base Commander will then lay a wreath at the Polish Memorial at the Belvedere.

The Deputy Lord Mayor, Councillor Darren Winter, will lead organisations in privately laying wreaths at the Civilian Memorial.

This year, people across the country are being encouraged to pay their respects from home and take part in the two-minute silence at 11am safely from their doorsteps. Anyone who chooses to visit the memorials on Plymouth Hoe is asked to stay safe and reminded to follow the current social distancing guidelines.

The Lord Mayor said: “We are enormously proud of our military heritage in Plymouth and Remembrance Day is a very important date in our civic calendar, giving us all chance to reflect, remember and honour those who have lost their lives. While this year has thrown many challenges our way, we have safely marked the 75th anniversaries of VE Day and VJ Day and the 80th anniversary of the Battle of Britain, and we will be doing the same this Remembrance Sunday.

“While we cannot all be together, we can still remember all those who gave so much and I’d invite you all to watch our Remembrance Service online and take part in the two minute silence at 11am. If you do choose to visit the memorials on Plymouth Hoe, we’d ask you try and visit at different times of the day in order to help protect the most vulnerable amongst us.”

November 2020 17

@PlymChronicle

New Hub at the heart of Stoke Village The Village Hub has landed on Devonport Road in Stoke, writes Karen Pilkington.

Clive volunteering at the Hub, taking down the old signage

Diane Flynn and Jade Ward outside the Hub

If you thought it was impossible to make a difference in your local area, you might never expect something as devastating as the COVID crisis to create opportunities for change in the local community.

However, thanks to funding from the Coronavirus Community Support Fund, distributed by the National Lottery Community Fund, a group of enthusiastic residents of Stoke and Morice Town have exceeded their expectations to come together and increase the glue that holds communities robustly able to withstand such crises.

The group, enabled by the Plymouth Octopus Project set up a helpline for local people to reach out if they needed support to access food, prescriptions, and postal services whilst they were selfisolating.

This led quickly to the realisation that having a physical space made the work of the group more visible and increased community connections.

The group were members of the Stoke Traders and Residents Association, who successfully applied to the Coronavirus Community Support Fund, enabling them to move into an family friendly creative activities, support with volunteers to use as well as to hire out to local And just recently they have brokered a empty shop in Stoke Village. form filling and admin tasks for the self employed people. And they have already been out planting partnership with www.goodearthgrowers.co.uk to After being empty for over five years, the shop and unemployed, ways to make new friends and Cornish variety daffodil bulbs around Stoke. explore getting organic fruit and vegetables into needed a huge amount of work carried out. An have fun and ways to connect with nature.

They have had training on debt advice and the area for local people to pick up and for those arrangement was made with the landlord and While the weather was warmer and we support for the newly unemployed, on how to on low incomes to try for free. tenant to sublet to the community organisation could still gather outside, the team organised recognise and avoid scams, and learning around Still to come is a new interactive website with and offer a rent free period in return for covering community blackberry picking, pebble painting safeguarding and GDPR to help keep everyone and training for community members to write their the costs of repairs. and hunting, and story telling in the park which their information safe. own stories and blogs, and a special Christmas The community went to work and decided on a attracted families with young children to get They have run the first of many online and card to be distributed to all the households in the new name – The Village Hub. outside and try something different. offline Zoom community meetings making them area with details of how to access the support Despite a delay in getting the electricity supply They have raised funds via the Green more accessible. And in partnership with local that’s out there. reconnected, the team moved in without light, Minds Programme to develop an overarching entrepreneur Dan Russell, they hope to fit out a The Village Hub hope to build on all the using a mobile hotspot to access numerous Zoom permaculture plan for the Blockhouse Park, create digital hub to help with digital skills, accessing relationships that keep our community strong, calls, delivering training and necessary information an open air classroom in a wild space in the the internet and as work space for fledgling making sure no one gets left behind as we to run a community hub safely, especially in these park and purchase reconditioned tools for the businesses to take their first steps. navigate the stormy seas of the new normal. difficult times.

They also made countless trips to the tip with the previous contents, as the shop had been left as an unfinished building site for the last five years, and reclaimed the back garden from a jungle of weeds and buddleias. Being neighbourly they reclaimed the neighbour’s back garden as well.

All this activity, done with the front door open – a policy the Hub will continue – has resulted in many local people popping their head in, offering their services and sharing the good news that something positive is happening in the Village.

The Hub has attracted 10 more volunteers, several of whom are visiting on an almost daily basis to break up the monotony and loneliness of lockdown lifestyles.

Now that the electric is finally on and the first fix electrical repairs completed, the Hub is eagerly awaiting a new accessible toilet and kitchenette area, ceilings and windows repaired and walls plastered by professionals ably assisted by volunteers.

Discount code: HT/AUTUMN The Hub is presently being constituted as a Community Benefit Society (lots more Zoom learning there!) with support from Real Ideas Guided Tours Spirit Experience Organisation and Plymouth Social Enterprise Network.

Be one of the first to set foot on Drake’s Island in Join our clairvoyant, who will take you around Whilst the phone calls continue to come in from people who are struggling to access food 30 years as we open for exclusive guided tours. the Island introducing you to its rumoured fifteen and supplies, the Hub team are developing new active spirits. strategies to connect meaningfully with local Learn about the history of the Island, walk the people. tunnels, see the wildlife and view Plymouth from Hear stories of the Island’s notorious past inhabitants, They have carried out surveys and drop ins to a whole new perspective. recent sightings and unexplained occurrences. help give voice to some of the needs of the area.

Top of the wish list are activities for young people,

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Plymouth Hoe is to get some TLC

Plymouth’s world famous Hoe is getting some TLC to make the city’s most important spot look even better.

A series of small projects that will make a big difference have started as part of the city’s Mayflower preparedness programme.

The first is a dull but necessary resurfacing of the main path, with pothole and edging repairs across other key areas.

But then it gets much more exciting.

Banks of stunning wildflowers look set to appear on the edges of the Hoe as well as the verges along Hoe Road.

A small number of apple trees could be planted and the dead QE2 memorial tree replaced with a Mayflower apple tree and mix of five others to form a small community orchard.

There are other plans in the mix which include: • The garden next to the café could be redesigned to encourage people into the garden rather than just looking at it.

Seating and paths as well as new access is on the cards. The garden will be planted using maritime plants and a blend of New and Old World planting.

• West Hoe Park - landscaping projects on flower beds around the park that are popular with young families. This will include introducing elements of natural play.

• An updated Welcome to Plymouth sign will be installed so that it is visible from land, air and sea. Design concepts have been drawn up and a pre-planning application has already been submitted The Peace Garden has already had some new planting and wooden benches have been repaired thanks to the efforts of the Shekinah Mission’s painting and maintenance team.

The team is working with the council and offers on-the-job training, personal development and work experience to help support people into employment.

Shekinah have also been involved in painting over 250 metres of railings below the Hoe and along the waterfront.

Deputy leader Peter Smith said: “Plymouth loves the Hoe. It’s a breathtaking place. It’s so popular that some of it is a bit tired from overuse, so we’re doing some fixing and mixing in some lovely ideas to make it even more special. It’s also great to see this project provide hands-on experience for people looking to get back into work.”

Diane Mansell, chief executive of Plymouth Waterfront Partnership said: “I know how important the Hoe and the waterfront are to all the businesses in our BID area which is why we have contributed £10,000 towards the work being undertaken. The Hoe is a stunning location and needs to look it’s best. We are happy to support these projects and they are a lovely mix of maintenance work and improving the natural environment projects.”

The council has been working closely with the Hoe Neighbourhood Forum, residents as well as vendors and leaseholders to make sure that nature is given a place to flourish working towards our goal of supporting measures to tackle climate change. The group is supportive of the installation of banks of wildflowers.

18 November 2020

@PlymChronicle

Opening month sell-out success

Sell-out screenings for Plymouth Arts Cinema highlight the value of independent cinema in keeping the big screen alive.

Plymouth Arts Cinema has released details of its November – December programme, with new films including ‘On The Rocks’, starring Bill Murray and Rashida Jones, Ben Wheatley’s adaptation of ‘Rebecca’, Second World War drama ‘A Call To Spy’ and ‘I Am Greta’, the new documentary about teenage climate activist Greta Thunberg.

The cinema enjoyed a strong opening month with many sellout screenings in October, despite a climate of uncertainty within the film industry.

The closure for the foreseeable future of Cineworld and other multiplex chains is sad news for cinema, with the postponement of films such as the latest 007 ‘No Time To Die’ leaving them with little to screen.

However, there is the potential for independent cinema to be more robust. Plymouth Arts Cinema and other smaller cinemas are lighter on their feet and a good variety of British, US, and foreign language independent films are still scheduled for release.

Loyal audiences have returned to Plymouth Arts Cinema, as well as those discovering the cinema for the first time.

Director and film programmer Anna Navas said: “Our opening month was more successful than we could have predicted, given the circumstances. We are so grateful to our audience for their support, and we have loved seeing familiar faces back in

On the Rocks starring Bill Murray and Rashida Jones is one of the films being screened

the cinema. This is also a wonderful opportunity to welcome new audiences through our doors and introduce them to the great films that we are screening this season.”

The team have worked hard to ensure the cinema is a safe place to visit, with socially distanced seating, face coverings, temperature checks, and an enhanced cleaning regime. They have received positive feedback from audience members who feel safe and happy to return, such as one filmgoer who said “I was really impressed with how PAC have handled reopening the cinema - it’s so lovely to come in and feel welcomed, but for it to also be very obvious that all the necessary

precautions are being taken. Well done for doing this so successfully!”

Social distancing means that the cinema capacity is greatly reduced for now, so income from ticket sales and donations is more valuable than ever, as is the continued support of Plymouth City Council. Following the hard work of organisations such as the BFI and FAN network, many independent cinemas also have access to the Cultural Recovery Fund, which, if granted will provide a buffer to help get them up and running again at full capacity in the future.

To see the full programme and book online, please visit plymouthartscentre.org/whats-on

College appeals for support with festive foodbank initiative City College Plymouth is renewing its call for organisations to join the Further Education Foodbank Friday initiative.

Having seen a huge response across the country to the original appeal, the campaign is being relaunched with a festive twist to help give local Foodbanks a boost in time for the Christmas period.

The FE Foodbank Friday fundraising campaign was set up in the summer in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on local Foodbanks. Due to the lockdown, Foodbanks saw a significant drop in the number of donations they were receiving whilst still supporting individuals and families in need. Organisers behind the campaign are now hoping to re-energise efforts to ensure local foodbanks are well-stocked in the build-up to the festive season.

The college’s director of Student Journey, Bob Hunter, said: “During the lockdown, the college’s

own Foodbank supplies were running low. Our college community has been hugely supportive of the Foodbank but with very few students and staff on campus over that period, our supplies started to run short as we continued to deliver food

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parcels to students facing hardship.

“To ensure we could continue to provide this support - and to help other local foodbanks facing shortages - we joined the nationwide Foodbank Friday appeal to raise money to be used to purchase supplies to be given to those in need.

“Now that we are thankfully back on campus, we are hoping to be able to once again stock our Foodbank through the donations of food items and the college is taking part in a UK-wide initiative to try and collect 30,000 items before Christmas.”

As part of the campaign, the college will be recording a weekly tally of the number of food items donated, but is also appealing to those who may wish to support the appeal by donating via a national JustGiving page at www.justgiving.com/ campaign/FestiveFEFoodbankFriday.

For details on how to donate food items, please e-mail studentliaision@cityplym.ac.uk.

For more information or to apply, contact us:

Phone 01752 225623

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Or online at cornerstonevision.com

Do you look after someone who couldn’t manage without you?

This year Carers Rights day is on Thursday 26th November and the theme is ‘Know Your Rights’ Mandy Street has been a Carers’ Support Coordinator at Improving Lives Plymouth since August 2019, and the role has been a real eye opener.

“I had been looking after my Mum over the past twenty years, supporting her mental health issues, as well as holding down a job as a domiciliary care worker. It was only when I started my job with Caring for Carers that I realised that I was, in fact, a carer for Mum, too.”

Colleagues soon realised that Mandy needed the support she was giving to others, and they helped her to access it for herself.

When we look after someone we love or care about, we may not consider ourselves as a carer. Caring is something we do as parents, partners, children, sisters, brothers and friends, often without question, or the need for a label.

You could be helping with household tasks such as cleaning or cooking, administering medication, organising and transporting someone to medical appointments, providing personal care or providing emotional support.

You could be doing it once a day, a couple of times a week or all the time. There are no time limits to being a carer.

It takes time to see yourself as a carer and even longer to recognise you have certain rights. However, it’s important to know your rights in order to access support that may be essential to maintaining your own health, wellbeing and work life balance.

Carers Rights Day is the national day led by Carers UK that helps to ensure carers are aware of their rights and know where to get help and support. It also raises awareness of the needs of carers.

In Plymouth, it is estimated that there are over 30,000 unpaid carers and every day

6,000 people in the United Kingdom become carers (Carers UK), often unexpectedly.

As a result, they have no way to plan or prepare for the sudden changes to their own life – whether that be juggling their employment with caring or having to claim new benefits. At the same time, they will have to come to terms with their new caring role and navigate the health and social care system. It’s no wonder that caring can feel overwhelming, bewildering and stressful.

Thursday November 26th is Carers Rights Day and we want to help carers in our local communities find their way. Whether they are struggling with navigating a maze of health and social services, looking for places to access information, or finding they need extra support to cope with the pressures of caring, we want to empower them to find any assistance that will benefit them.

Lee Sewrey - Caring for Carers Manager said “For the last 7 years we have run an information event for Plymouth Carers to attend and get advice and support from over 50 different organisations. This year, due to COVID-19 restrictions we are working differently to offer support to carers virtually. Whether you are a new carer or have been caring for someone for a while, we believe that it’s important that you understand your rights and are able to access the support that is available to you as soon as you need it.”

“My journey is typical of a lot of people who care for their loved ones,” said Mandy.

“They think a carer is someone who is a full time professional, and not them. But that’s not the case; what they are doing is a proper caring role and they have rights to access support for themselves.”

The key question that Mandy and her colleagues ask people is, ‘If you were not there to help, how would they cope?’ It may be just with shopping, or with multiple roles involved in caring for a spouse with dementia – whatever the level of care, once assessed and properly registered, carers can access a whole range of support.

“In all those years, I didn’t recognise myself as a carer,” said Mandy. “And most of the people we assess say they just didn’t know where to turn for help. If they’re working, they don’t know they have rights to ask for flexible hours and unpaid leave. They may just want a weekly support group, to overcome isolation and identify with others; they may need help getting benefits sorted out. Whatever it is, we can help by starting with a simple assessment which most people find very beneficial.”

Mandy’s advice is simple: if your caring role impacts on your life at all, you should contact her team for an assessment to see what help may be available – it’s just a phone call away.

Our Virtual Carers Rights Day page can be viewed at www.improvinglivesplymouth. org.uk/carers-rights-day-2020 from Thursday 26th November 2020 where you will have access to support, advice and contact details from all of the usual organisations who attend our annual information events. To access our Carers Rights Day information pack by email or by post or to speak to a team member please call Caring for Carers on 01752 201890 to register as a carer and we will take your details to ensure you receive the information quickly.

Pat King is a full time carer for husband Stephen who developed mental health issues following a prolonged physical illness. Pat says that Caring for Carers is a lifeline for them both especially during the COVID pandemic.

Stephen was diagnosed with renal failure following a viral infection 11 years ago, and needed home dialysis until he had a kidney transplant in 2016.

“We thought that things would improve, but it wasn’t the case for us,” said Pat. “Steve was forgetting things, repeating conversations and getting angry. I have a background in care and I could see something was wrong.

“Steve’s condition worsened quite quickly.

He was a senior support worker, responsible for overseeing several community supported living houses with one or two residents and a staff team. One minute he was fine, then he just went downhill.”

Over the course of a few short years, Pat became a full time carer for Stephen. She has no breaks, no holidays and cannot leave him overnight if she wants to visit relatives.

“If you work in care, you can leave it behind at the end of the day. But like other people caring for their loved ones, I can’t just go home.”

These difficulties put a strain on their marriage and Pat sought counselling. Her doctor pointed her towards Caring for Carers, who helped her realise that she needed care and support as much as Steve.

“They’ve been amazing,” said Pat. “We were on a low income with neither of us working. They helped me apply for PIPs payments, which included a 40 page application form. They connected me to other services that can help us, they’re available to talk to and overall I just feel that I have someone supporting me now.”

Most people looking after loved ones don’t consider themselves carers, but the professional advice provided freely

by Caring for Carers helps them get the financial and other support that they are entitled to.

There’s still a long way to go for Pat and Steve, and COVID presents another level of challenges but Caring for Carers is there to support them, and many others like them.

Mandy and Pat

“It’s been good for us both,” said Pat. “They’ve given me hope that things can get better and there is help, beyond what is happening with COVID. I don’t know what I would have done without them.”

www.improvinglivesplymouth.org.uk The Caring for Carers team are here to support you with understanding your rights as a carer, and to help you to navigate health and social care systems.

Get in touch by telephone on 01752 201890 email caringforcarers@improvinglivesplymouth.org.uk or text us on 07305058088

A Charity supporting people since 1907

20 November 2020

20 November 2020

@PlymChronicle

Why we need to share our life stories...

THE

By Chris Cole, founder of Cross Rhythms Charity

Experience

To be vulnerable, I have really struggled this month with the Cross Rhythms article because it is not always easy in times of real difficulties to be genuinely optimistic.

I have had the privilege for almost 40 years of sharing, on radio and television, what I believe is the ‘Greatest Story Ever Told’. This story has changed lives through the centuries and is increasingly changing the lives of hundreds of millions of people around the world today.

The central theme is focussed on one person: Jesus Christ who claimed to be both God and human. He is bigger and more important than our churches and denominations and yet he is revered, loved, and worshipped in those communities. The impact of this relationship between God and man is why the Church, of all differing denominations, sows so much time, voluntary effort and money into their local communities.

More charities today are started through religious motivation than any other. This relational faith impacts on the lives of individuals and then wider communities and has been for centuries the foundation of our national values. The second commandment of Jesus to ‘love

our neighbours as Chris Cole ourselves’ is not just a quaint saying, for many it is love in action.

It appears that the greatest areas of growth for the Christian faith are in nations where Christianity is oppressed, and its’ adherents persecuted.

What always amazes me, however, are the stories or personal testimonies of Christians in hostile circumstances demonstrating incredible, love and courage under such circumstances.

It seems the more the essence and values of Christianity are persecuted, the quicker the communities grow in faith and effectiveness. This happened in China and is also happening in North Korean concentration camps.

Last month’s article was on the subject of Plymouth City Council’s programme

‘Resurgam, meaning ‘rise again’ - our council leaders encouraging the wider community with hope for our city since we are still experiencing serious health and economic challenges through the pandemic.

We all need to play our part and support each other in this time of international, national and local community crisis. To do this we need to individually draw on our own personal inner courage and resource.

To consistently broadcast an authentic message of faith, hope and love through the media I have always felt that our Christian testimony must be authentic in terms of our hope in the divine nature of Jesus Christ to be balanced with the truth of our messy humanity.

Christians are far from perfect, me included, and that is why an honest account of our spiritual journey is so powerful.

How the love of Christ can inwardly change us and free us from fear.

Therefore, as Christians, the most powerful resource we have is our personal testimony. I would encourage every Christian believer who has a story to tell, regarding His transforming love, to prayerfully consider sharing ‘your story’ in these difficult days.

Even creation speaks to us on this. On a cloudy day when we look up to the sky and the rain and winds are blowing, the sun is still constantly shining above the clouds.

This is the reality of God. Even though we will go through difficult days, He has overcome. This is what resurrection from the dead into life is all about. The Son will always keep on shining.

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22 November 2020

22 November 2020

Noisy neighbour ordered to pay over £500 Alfresco A troublesome telly addict has been made to pay a high price for a series of noise offences.

Scott McTighe, 47, of Hilton Avenue in Manadon, appeared at Plymouth Magistrates Court and was ordered to pay £532 after pleading guilty to three breaches of a previous noise abatement notice.

The court heard how McTighe was issued with a noise abatement notice in August 2018 following an investigation into complaints of noise emanating from his property.

Then, in January 2020, further complains began to emerge and a reminder of the notice was sent to McTighe.

Only a few days afterwards, further complaints were raised and an out of hours enforcement officer was called the complainant’s address. There they heard noise thought to be coming from a TV in two of the bedrooms determined to be loud enough to prevent sleep.

In February, officers were called out again and just as before, heard noise from a television emanating into the neighbour’s property.

Finally in March, officers again attended the complainant’s address. This time music was heard through the party wall, which gave way to noise from a television soon afterwards.

McTighe was handed a fine of £250 to cover all three

breaches, ordered to pay legal costs of £250 and a victim surcharge of £32.

Councillor Sally Haydon, Cabinet member for Customer Focus and Community Safety, said: “Everyone has the right to live in peace and so I hope that this verdict delivers some kind of justice to this gent’s neighbours.

“Hopefully this case will show that we’re not afraid to act over noise issues; we will pursue nuisance neighbours and we will prosecute them.”

Residents having issues with noisy neighbours can always get help from the council. More detail are available here: www.plymouth.gov.uk/ environmentandpollution/noise

Researchers and charity launch online tool to help people deal with psychological impact of having a ‘visible difference’ A ‘life-changing’ programme to help adults with visible differences such as scars and burns is being made publicly available for the first time.

FaceIT@home helps people manage any appearance-related distress and anxiety via a self-guided online tool. Using a cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) approach, and aimed at people who may need support to feel more confident about the way they look, the programme was previously only available via a referral from a health professional.

Now the newly accessible online version has been warmly welcomed by charities and those living with visible differences, which can include anything from facial scarring, burns and plastic and reconstructive surgery to mastectomy or limb amputation.

FaceIT@home and the earlier, offline version have been developed by Dr Alyson Norman, associate professor of Clinical and Health Psychology at the University of Plymouth, in conjunction with the Centre for Appearance Research at the University of the West of England and charity Changing Faces.

Dr Norman said: “Visible difference covers a huge range of things, but there are probably four or five million people in the UK with a difference of some kind. Our research suggests that about 30 per cent of those people will suffer some degree of anxiety as a result, but we also know there is no strong correlation between the severity of someone’s visible difference and the anxiety they may experience – it is about each individual’s confidence level.

“FaceIT aims to do two things: help people manage anxiety, and help them learn how to manage interactions with other people and deal with their reactions.”

FaceIT@home can be accessed by contacting Changing Faces, with users directed to an extensive website that takes them through a course of eight different sessions including a mixture of

Your guide to community events in your area

In view of the current coronavirus lockdown measures we have held over the usual Community Directory listings as most if not all the events/meetings will not be taking place Your guide to community events in your area

Naomi in March 2004, soon after one of several operations and (below) Naomi pictured 14 years after the accident

presentations, interactive exercises and extensive guidance on how to put what has been learnt into practice.

“The programme is the result of years of research and testing, which has shown that the online version is as effective as faceto-face intervention, and in some cases preferred by users as they are able to go back to and benefit from it months or even years later,” added Dr Norman.

Naomi Milward has been involved with the programme for many years, after suffering life-changing facial injuries in a road accident in Kenya in 2002. After struggling to access appropriate psychological treatment, Naomi was introduced to Alyson and received a face-to-face version of FaceIT in 2008. Since then, she has been a passionate advocate for the programme.

Naomi said: “People often forget the psychological impact of injures like mine, as the physical difference can be so obvious to others. In my case when the accident

happened at the age of 31, having had a successful career and a great lifestyle, the psychological impact was significantly harder to deal with than the physical impact.

“FaceIT helped me in so many ways. Going out in public initially was a massive deal for me – as I felt everyone was staring. This automatically created negative thoughts and frustration. Among other coping strategies, FaceIT teaches you to turn those negative thoughts into positive ones and think, OK they’re staring, but they might be looking at my dress. The programme gives you different scenarios and examples like this of how to manage negative thoughts and assumptions.

“For people who don’t want or can’t access face-to-face support, it will be incredibly beneficial for them to be able to access support in their own home.”

Becky Hewitt, chief executive of Changing Faces said: “We are delighted to partner with the University of Plymouth and the Centre for Appearance Research at the University of the West of England, to officially launch FaceIT@ home in the UK. “This is an unprecedented period of stress, anxiety and social isolation for everyone, and people with visible differences have been amongst those hardest hit. Being able to offer the FaceIT@home online service, developed with specialist psychologists, to anyone in the UK with a mark, scar or condition on their face or body that makes them look different provides another, much needed, source of specialist support for the visible difference community.

“Clinicians can refer clients, and individuals can sign up directly with Changing Faces to join the online self-help programme that is designed to build confidence, resilience and help develop coping strategies to deal with the difficult situations and feelings many people with visible differences contend with every day.”

@PlymChronicle

bubbles help to buffer loneliness

‘Golden Oldies’ from a community cinema in Plymouth have begun to venture out from their homes for companionship thanks to emergency funding from the National Lottery.

Set up three years ago, Red Velvet Cinema, based in Devonport Guildhall, gave ‘older people’ particularly those experiencing loneliness and social isolation, a regular place to go where they could watch a classic film and share conversation and companionship. Before coronavirus, it had a regular audience of about 25 but, as the pandemic spread, everyone was put into lockdown.

For people like Mike Higgins, who is 82 years old and has been going to Red Velvet Cinema since it started, the loneliness has been very hard to bear. “Red Velvet Cinema is a significant part of my life,” he said. “I have very little ‘family’ available to me now so to get phone calls; to keep in touch and now meeting up in little ‘Garden Clubs’ is really important. The lonely bit is quite destroying; without this I have no other contact with people.”

Since the beginning of lockdown, Red Velvet Cinema has kept in contact with many of its ‘regulars’, providing conversation; collecting shopping and delivering home-made cake!

Now, as its founder, Caroline Blackler, explained, the organisation has started to do more, organising small groups and - most importantly - bringing people back together.

“The most important thing we have done during lockdown is to prevent any single person from Red Velvet Cinema thinking that there is nobody that cares about them. We have kept phoning, kept asking individuals how they are feeling and kept showing them that they matter.

We know how deeply upsetting it is for people – whatever age – to think they are ‘on their own’, that ‘nobody cares’. And we are determined that not one person who comes to Red Velvet Cinema should feel like that,” said Caroline.

Jean McDade is 85 years old and lives on her own. It was a 123 days before she left her house. Having contact with others through Red Velvet Cinema has been, she said, a lifeline: “It has been my bridge between being lonely and having someone who cares and tries to do something about it. Unless someone has been absolutely on their own, day after day after day, you have no experience of it to know what it’s like.”

With £10,000 of funding from the National Lottery Coronavirus Community Support Fund, the cinema can now afford to keep the camaraderie alive. With winter on its way, the ‘garden clubs’ will move inside into Moments Café: every Wednesday morning, starting on October 7 from 10am until 12 noon. There will be a coffee morning which will also include a regular digital technology class for people wishing to learn how to use digital technology to better connect with each other, family and friends.

Red Velvet Cinema is determined that, by adhering to Government guidelines, it will help to keep people safe but, at the same time, reducing through companionship, the crippling effects of that modern-day malaise called loneliness.

USEFUL Green light HMS Enterprise home after NUMBERS for new a 15-month deployment £10 million and 53,000 nautical miles November 2020 23

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Emergency Numbers

care facility

Plymouth’s most vulnerable adults can look forward to – and help shape – a new purpose-built place to work, rest and play.

The green light has been given for Plymouth City Council to invest £10 million in a new centre of excellence which will combine specialist emergency and planned respite/day care services for people with complex physical and learning disabilities.

The former council depot on Outland Road is being earmarked for this new care facility and the design is expected to feature: • A range of modern en-suite bedrooms and flats specifically designed to maximise independence and allow support for adults with a wide range disabilities.

• Spaces for activity and learning (activities to support daily living, IT suite, pottery, art, relaxation and music) • Sensory rooms and outdoor spaces and quiet spaces for relaxation and therapy • Access to Adapted cycles for use within the grounds of the service and within Central Park • Kitchen area for food preparation and independent living skills • Smart technology to support increased independence It’s proposed location, on the border of Central Park, will open up huge opportunities for customers to enjoy the park, the Life Centre, transport links as well as sharing some of its new planned facilities for others with disabilities, for example, the Access to Adapted cycles, Changing Places and potentially room hire for small local community groups.

The brand new building, which has yet to be designed, will offer essential planned and emergency respite and is intended to make sure customers enjoy their best life with specialist support on hand to help them be as independent as possible, to support education and skills development as well as opportunities for employment.

A key aspect of the project will be to provide carers and individuals with more flexible options for breaks through the day, evening and overnight.

The facility will replace Colwill Lodge in Estover, which currently provides overnight short breaks and respite and the Vine in Whitleigh which provides daytime support.

There is no other respite provision available in Plymouth for this client group.

A decision has been taken to invest £10 million into the scheme which, once available, will bring the services, staff and customers from Colwill and The Vines together under one service.

Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care, Councillor Kate Taylor said: “We are right at the start of a journey but this is going to be a fantastic facility. I’m really proud that this council wants to invest in making something special for some of our most vulnerable residents and for this to be so close to one of our most treasured spaces. This is not just about what the building will look like, this is about reshaping a service, opening up loads of opportunities because of where this centre will be.”

Cabinet Member for Environment and Street Scene, Councillor Sue Dann, added: “Having a new care facility so close to Central Park will be a huge benefit to the residents, the day care visitors and the staff, access to green spaces really promotes the health and wellbeing of people.”

A busy 15-month deployment has come to an end for Plymouth Royal Navy ship HMS Enterprise.

The survey ship has returned to her Devonport base after sailing more than 53,000 nautical miles, starting off in France, then travelling through the Mediterranean and Indian Ocean to the AsiaPacific and back again.

HMS Enterprise has sailed through two oceans and six seas as well as visited 15 different ports in 11 different countries since leaving the UK last summer. The vessel operates a three-crew system – sailors spend three months on board before flying home to complete courses and training.

While deployed, the multi-role Survey Vessel was involved in many memorable events including

hosting HRH the Prince of Wales in Tokyo last October marking the enthronement of Japan’s new emperor Naruhito. In Japan also, the ship tracked Super Typhoon Hagibis and also trained alongside the country’s navy, meeting up with Japanese destroyer JS Teruzuki east of Tokyo.

The two warships met in fairly rough seas and carried out combined manoeuvres close together to test both ships’ crews and increase the ability of the two navies to work in tandem.

The destroyer also launched her Seahawk helicopter, coordinating with the ships below as they took it in turns to set the pace and direction of the exercises.

The ship also offered support to Lebanon only a month ago following the devastating explosion at the Port of Beirut. As well as dropping off crucial supplies and personnel, Enterprise surveyed the port to ensure it was safe for future shipping.

Other notable moments for the ship’s company include winning a Christmas Eve football match against the Republic of Korea’s navy team while alongside in Busan and visiting Hai Phong in Vietnam.

Throughout the deployment Enterprise has established close working relationships with the UK’s partners around the world. The sailors also got to show their expertise in surveying the world’s seas. Using her on board equipment, she gathered data in the South China Sea, Indian Ocean, Mediterranean Sea and the Black Sea.

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Howard League Award means double success for Trevi House

Trevi House, the leading women’s charity based in Plymouth, has been presented with a Howard League Community Award for its work helping women to turn away from crime.

Trevi’s award was based on its life changing work at its Sunflower Women’s Centre and was presented to Laura Fraser-Crewes, Sunflower’s strategic lead, at a virtual ceremony on Zoom in October.

The Howard League for Penal Reform’s annual community awards celebrate the country’s most successful community projects encouraging desistance from crime. Projects which help to keep people out of the criminal justice system by providing alternative, proportionate, effective and targeted interventions will help reduce the risk of re-offending. The awards recognise projects and organisations whose work and practice are delivered above and beyond normal service delivery.

Trevi runs three key centres in Plymouth.

This includes a residential rehabilitation centre exclusively for mothers and children, the Sunflower Women’s Centre which is based in the community and Daffodil House, a family centre. It was Sunflower which was the specific focus of this award.

The latest success follows news that Trevi

House had exceeded its target and raised more than £10,000 for its Trevi DIY SOS Crowdfunder.

The charity has raised a total of £38,000 for the project: the first £27,000 came from Trusts and Foundations and the final £10,000 raised by the Crowdfunder campaign.

This is the first time that Trevi has carried out a Crowdfunder campaign and the charity is delighted with the response. Donations came from far and wide including significant gifts from the Plymouth City Change Fund, Devon and Cornwall Police Resilience Fund, law firms and many generous donations from the public.

Trevi’s rehabilitation centre takes referrals from across the UK and can accommodate up to 10 women and their children at any time. Each mother follows a strict therapy plan and the average length of stay is 24 weeks. Facilities include eight residential rooms, two family apartments, communal living room, dining room, therapy lodge and a children’s nursery.

Thanks to the Crowdfunder campaign, Trevi can now make essential investment in the rehab centre’s living space. A major redecoration project will now get underway, with residential areas being given a breath of fresh air from much needed painting and decorating, and new modern furnishings.

For more information visit www.trevihouse.org

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24 November 2020

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Mayflower to-do list ticked off!

From massive monumental restorations, epic paint jobs and new trails for visitors, Plymouth’s Mayflower moment is making its mark on the city whatever 2020 has thrown at it.

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Chocolate lovers have William Yard a new sweet spot at Royal opened his after chocolatier Nichol new outlet destination. at the histor as Kettle ‘do-me-a-fa Domea Favour - prono ic waterfront vour’ is locate unced d in the Brewh ouse buildin • Story and g photos page 13

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The December edition of the Plymouth Chronicle in Waterside and West will be published on November 20, with a copy

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over 24,000

- the sensitive sure the city’s restoration of key attractions the historic such as The Box Mayflower Steps and Barcode and and portico Barbican are has smartened easy to find up this key • Updated location.

19 tourist The portico monoliths in the was badly city centre and eroded due to waterfront Plymouth’s salty • Four air and wind. fingerposts Cobbles were to replace old also re-layed ones that had on the pier previously and disabled been removed access to loos and 74 new/ completed. New Refurbishment of Elizabethan House replacement street furniture arms to point and bins have been installed as well as new people in the right direction flags flying • 10,464 square metres of road resurfacing Elizabethan House - the historic house was carried out around the city centre and is being sensitively restored. An extension the waterfront during 2019-2020 has been added to the rear to provide extra • 4,590 square metres of cobble repairs and space and support the deteriorated back repointing completed around the Barbican wall. The conservation work will finish in the • Revamping the entrance to Southside Autumn ready for the fit out of interpretation Street with a stunning mural depicting the and visitor experience.

Mayflower as well as smartening up the Prysten House - a new public square to pavement areas show off the 15th Century building is finished.

• New toilets now built and open at West 1970s paving was replaced with granite paving Hoe park and more are planned for the Hoe and an Elizabethan Garden pattern marked demolition has already started. out with cobbles. New trees were planted, new street furniture installed and the New signs on the A38 stunning building is going to be lit up.

As well as the historic restoration projects, the to-do list included the not so glamorous but equally important essentials. This included: • Over 100 giant outdoor bins installed in and around the city centre and the waterfront including more recycling bins • 13 new signs up on the A38 to encourage people into Britain’s Ocean City and making

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Mayflower Trail launched

Speaking in the latest debate on the Prisoners (Disclosure of information) Bill, Luke made the case for a change in the law to prevent release of child abusers who refuse to name their child victims.

This comes after the release last year of Vanessa George, who sexually abused babies and toddlers where she worked, in Little Ted’s nursery in Plymouth. George refused to name the children she abused, causing significant pain and anguish for the families in Plymouth of the children she is suspected of abusing.

The Parole Board still decided to release George from prison in spite of this because there was no legal reason to prevent her release because of her failure to disclose this information.

Luke led the campaign to change the law, and has finally seen this come to fruition as the Prisoners (Disclosure of Information) Bill passed its final stage in the Commons.

The Bill had been amended in the House of Lords to include the second part of Luke’s campaign: to improve communication for families. After a series of meetings with Ministers, the Government agreed to the ‘spirit and intent’ of the amendment with Ministers announcing a series of policy shifts as a result of Luke’s campaign.

In response to Luke’s campaign, the Minister announced that a new national victim contact system would be rolled out nationwide in 2021 and that this system would be opt-out not optin, meaning families would be kept informed about the release of serious offenders unless they chose to opt out.

Luke Pollard said: “The crimes of Vanessa George are disgusting and have caused significant pain to families in Plymouth. I am pleased that working with victims we are on the cusp of changing the law for the better.

Very soon the Parole Board will be able to take into account a prisoner’s refusal to disclose the name of child abuse victims when considering release. If they had that power before, I am convinced Vanessa George would still be behind bars, and that is why this change is so important.

“The concession from Ministers that they will roll out a new nationwide victims contact system to keep victims informed is long overdue and a huge win for this campaign.”

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Mayflower Steps restored

Plymouth MP Luke Pollard has won significant concessions from the Government to improve support for victims of serious crime as part of his campaign to tighten the law following the release of child abuser, Vanessa George.

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While the major commemorations have been put back to 2021, it’s the perfect time to give people a reminder of the work that has been going on over the last two years as part of the city’s push to make the most of its incredible history.

Council leader Tudor Evans said: “While Covid-19 has changed the timescales, it has not changed what we are doing. We’ve had an incredible couple of weeks in spite of COVID: The Box opening, Look II being unveiled, the Mayflower autonomous vessel launch.

“But we’ve also done lots of other work to get to this point. And this work is not just about visitors, it is about helping families here enjoy our fabulous city and learn more about its amazing history.”

The big stuff: Mayflower Trail - the digital trails app was launched to allow residents and visitors to follow the Mayflower trail - a series of bronze totems around the Barbican packed with facts about its buildings and the people who helped shape the city in 1620. The Mayflower trail is one of three core trails on the app with the City Centre trail exploring post-war architecture and the Plymouth Hoe Trail delving into the city’s maritime history.

Repainting Smeaton’s Tower - the grade 1 listed landmark received a new coat in its traditional red and white colours, using special paint and protective treatment.

Look II - the council commissioned a sculpture to go on West Hoe Pier by internationally-acclaimed artist Anthony Gormley as part of The Box permanent art collection.

West Pier, the Mayflower Steps and portico

Luke Pollard MP wins campaign to protect victims after Vanessa George case

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24 November 2020

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