Plym Links December/January 2022

The deadline date for any inclusions in the February/March issue of Plym Links is December 28, 2022.

For all editorial enquiries please contact Joanne Mallard via email at: joanne.mallard@linksmagazines.co.uk

THE LINKS TEAM:

Publisher: Tim Randell Editor: Joanne Mallard Design: Julian Rees

Advertising: Jane Daniel, Olivia Breyley, Joanne Mallard

Welcome to the December/ January issue of Plym Links,

my first as your new Editor. I’m delighted to have stepped into the role, having taken the reins from the lovely Lindsay Turpin. Thank you to Lindsay for nurturing Plym Links over the last year – I hope to do the role justice!

This issue reaches you as we head into winter after a turbulent year. I’ve therefore focussed a great deal on positivity and the theme of resilience. Our feature looks at the local wellbeing hubs in Plymouth, specifically the Rees Centre in Plympton. Their key message is that there is always help available, so never be afraid to ask for it.

I had the pleasure of meeting some incredible local people for this issue. Mark Ormrod shares his post traumatic growth following the loss of three limbs in Helmand, whilst Wayne and Katie Child of Gym Bubbas explain how they weathered the pandemic and supported their staff through unprecedented times.

You’ll find plenty of support services and ideas to boost your health in this issue. Karen Eccles, Chair of the Plymouth Harriers, shares her journey into running; Dr Rachel Tyler provides advice on sticking to your New Year’s resolutions; and the Samaritans explain how you can reach them day or night, 365 days a year.

We are living through difficult times and there is much we can learn from generations past; this season, keep in mind that presence should always be valued more so than presents. Our History section features an article on Christmas in the 1940s – a time of homemade decorations, hand-crafted gifts and finding simple joy in one another’s company.

We also have a competition for you in this issue. You’ll find ten little robins hiding amongst our pages, each with a letter. Can you unscramble them to reveal the name of a festive figure? Our winner will receive four tickets to see Ivybridge Theatre Company’s production of Aladdin and the Pirates at The Watermark in February. For more details, see page 36.

My thanks to every contributor who has taken their time to give something to this magazine. You each help to make Plym Links an incredible read. If you have anything you’d like me to consider for the Feb/March Noticeboard or What’s On sections, please send it to me as soon as you can. All that remains is to wish you a very Merry Christmas and a happy, healthy New Year from myself and the wonderful Links team. Here’s to 2023!

Best wishes

Plymouth’s Wellbeing Hubs

From the war in Ukraine to the rising costs of energy and increasing levels of Covid, there is no doubt that times are challenging. Support from friends and family is vital for many, but what if you don’t have a social network? Plymouth’s wellbeing hubs are there to support you.

hubs make it easier for you to access information, health and community services. Their premise is to be a single point in the community, providing support and information on all manner of subjects which may affect wellbeing. From pregnancy and parenting support, through to energy-saving advice and bereavement services, every aspect of wellbeing is catered for. Each hub is led by a different charity partner in order to collaboratively deliver vital services. Those managing the hubs recognise that people’s needs will vary and they welcome contact via phone, email and social media messaging as well as in-person.

Wellbeing

to thrive. Kathryn continues: “The Rees Centre hosts a Plympton networking group. Anybody who is providing a local service is welcome to come along to share information. This allows us to identify emerging themes and gaps in local provision. It is also an opportunity for those in the community to find their own solutions and facilitate change together, by talking and coming up with ideas.”

“ The Rees Centre currently has 18 volunteers who work incredibly hard to support its core services ”

Kathryn Hussey, Project Coordinator at Plympton’s Rees Centre Wellbeing Hub, which is led by Barnardo’s, says that staff are trained to signpost people to the correct services to support their specific need. “People can spend a long time looking for the right support, or not know what is available. We are here to act as a first point of contact. If our team don’t know the answer, we know that one of our partners will. Our team can provide information on local groups and services, as well as online resources, and refer into citywide services such outreach support from the Children’s Centres. We have a lot going on at the centre such as weekly work, money and budgeting clinics with DWP outreach workers, and are always happy to accommodate a member of the community meeting a worker from another service if transport is a barrier for them.”

Community development is also vital within the wellbeing hubs to ensure that local support continues

The Rees Centre currently has 18 volunteers who work incredibly hard to support its core services. It provides a Wellbeing dropin, a Children’s Centre, a counselling service, a range of pro-active youth support groups and adult education classes on topics such as ‘cooking on a budget’. In time, it is hoped that an area outside the centre will become a community allotment.

One of the more unexpected facilities available at the Rees hub is its boxing ring run by Carl’s Boxing Stable. The centre plays a large role in working with local young people, offering structured activities and a safe space. Boxing is just one of the activities on offer.

A Plympton Foodbank is also available at nearby St Mary’s Church on Tuesdays and Thursdays, with a community larder at the Ridgeway Methodist Church. The foodbank service is mirrored in other areas of the city, with its exact provision based upon need. Four Greens Community Trust, in Whitleigh, is very ‘handson’ with food provision and redistribution, offering a community larder, shared lunches and Christmas dinner.

Kathryn explains, “There is a lot of unease surrounding rising energy costs; people are genuinely concerned

about how to heat and eat this winter. We work with the foodbank as a partner and they are able to reimburse travel costs for people who may not otherwise be able to make it along to the foodbank. The important thing is not to struggle in silence. There is no shame in asking for help when you need it. Plymouth Energy Community and AGE UK Plymouth have been distributing Household Support Funds (HSF) for those most in need of them. We have referred 44 families directly from the centre for HSF support. We also find that a lot of people aren’t receiving all the help they could be. This is especially true when people haven’t previously qualified for means assessed grants and benefits, and we’d encourage everyone to look into extra support available.” This year, Plymouth City Council is working with the wellbeing hubs, churches and community buildings

to offer warm spaces. Community partners such as Plympton Library and Harewood House will hopefully be able to provide a warm and welcoming space for people who need it.

The Rees Centre is looking to set up some new groups and services to tie in with the warm spaces provision. The downstairs lounge may potentially be opened up to welcome people in, and it is hoped that a free film club will be able to run in partnership with Character Creation Roleplaying. Already a vital resource, the centre is continually evolving and looking for new ways to support the local community.

For further details on the individual wellbeing hubs across Plymouth and what they offer, visit: www.plymouthonlinedirectory.com/wellbeinghubs n Joanne Mallard

Plymouth Energy Community is an independent organisation, covering the Plymouth area. The team can provide energy advice and basic support measures including draught-proofing, LED light bulbs, hot water tank jackets and energy monitors. A similar service is being run for South Hams residents by the South Dartmoor Community Energy Team. The ideas below can be easily implemented to save you money this winter:

• Heat your home to meet your needs – 18-20 degrees is fine for most, whilst 20-22 may be needed for those with elderly or young family members.

• Turn Thermostatic Radiator Valves (TRV) up and down according to need.

• Regularly bleed radiators for maximum efficiency.

• Know your heating system and how to control it.

• Open curtains in the day to let in sunlight and close them at dusk to retain heat. Tuck them behind radiators so that heat doesn’t escape.

• Make DIY draught excluders – stuffing a pair of old tights or some old clothes will do the trick!

• Turn off lights when not in use.

• Avoid over-filling your kettle.

• Shower for 4 minutes or less.

• Dry clothes in fresh air or use an airer – but remember that moisture needs to escape somehow or you may encourage damp.

• Turn appliances off standby.

• Microwaves or air-fryers are a more cost-effective alternative to using the oven.

• Fill up your washing machine and you may find you can cut back by one load each week.

A life

far from ordinary

Mark Ormrod was catapulted into the limelight after triggering an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) in Afghanistan in 2007. His story of ‘post traumatic growth’ is both extraordinary and inspirational...

At the age of 15, Mark Ormrod found himself facing a career choice. Like many, he wasn’t sure what path to take; but he was certain that it wouldn’t see him wearing a suit! It was older friends and the inspiration of his uncle that helped him decide, and in 2001 he signed up as a Royal Marine, passing his Potential Royal Marines Course at Lympstone on his first attempt.

In January 2005, Mark became a father to his eldest daughter, Kezia, and decided to re-evaluate his career; after five years of service, he left the Royal Marines at the end of 2005 to spend more time with his family. However, he unexpectedly separated from Kezia’s mother just a month before officially leaving. Essentially homeless, he spent nights in his car, sofa-surfing and working as a doorman to survive. He then flew to South Africa to retrain as a bodyguard and at the end of 2006, whilst working as a doorman for Plymouth’s Reflex nightclub, he met Becky.

“I used to see Becky and her mates a lot at Reflex. I was really drawn to her, so I asked her out. She kept turning me down, so I told her that I would ban her and her friends from Reflex if she didn’t go out with me!” smiles Mark. Becky, then a student living with friends in Greenbank, invited Mark around and they spent the evening talking and watching television. From there, their relationship blossomed.

However, Mark was still staying in a spare room, unable to spend much time with Kezia. Keen to make Becky and Kezia proud, he re-joined the Royal Marines in March 2007. He took part in redeployment training and on 7 September 2007, he headed to Helmand.

“When you arrive, there is a scramble to book your two weeks’ R&R. I liked to get the bulk of a deployment out of the way before taking my leave, so I booked mine for New Year. The plan was to spend it with Becky.”

Sadly, the New Year was vastly different to the one Mark and Becky had imagined. “My section had been confined to camp for some time, due to others being on R&R or injured. On Christmas Eve, we were able to get out on patrol; it was then that I triggered the IED.” Mark knelt on an Anti-Personnel Mine with an attached 107mm Chinese Rocket. “Had it been upright, and not at an angle, there would have been nothing left of me but a pink cloud. It was powerful enough to take off half of a building.”

Lying in a 12 foot crater, Mark found that he couldn’t move. He wasn’t in pain, but realised once the dust had settled that he had lost several limbs. He explains: “I felt an overwhelming sense of calm. I was lying there in a 12 foot crater on a high feature with mines all around me, and initially thought to myself ‘there is no way I am getting out of here alive’. But there was no fear. I had a sense that if I closed my eyes, I would fall asleep and I just wouldn’t wake up; and I knew that the lads would do whatever it took to recover me.

“I was tired and there was an intense sensation of pins and needles. I also remember thinking that perhaps it wasn’t my time to go. It’s hard to explain.”

Mark’s comrades deployed their training calmly, allowing the on-duty medic to access him quickly. He was given morphine, stretchered out of the crater and eventually taken aboard a helicopter.

“When the helicopter landed, I blacked out,” recalls Mark. “At one point they classed me as dead, but a medic noticed one of my eyes flutter and they brought me back.

“I needed fluids through an IV, but my veins had collapsed. By pure luck, three days before my accident a new technique had been cleared to drill into the tibia and fibula to administer fluids. Of course, I had lost both

“ At one point they classed me as dead, but a medic noticed one of my eyes flutter and they brought me back. ”

of those. The surgeons were able to drill into my hip to administer the fluids, which saved my life.

“I was taken to Camp Bastion for surgery, where they removed the injured limbs right back to the healthy flesh. From the explosion at around midday on Christmas Eve, I was back in the UK by 4am on Christmas Day.”

Becky, staying with her family in Surrey for Christmas, received the bad news from Mark’s sister; she and Mark’s family made their way to Birmingham.

“At that point, they didn’t know the extent of my injuries,” says Mark. “They had initially been told I had lost a foot, then a leg, then two legs... They only realised the full extent when they arrived.”

Mark spent three days in a coma and four days in a drug-induced haze, where he repeatedly ‘saw’ Will Smith wandering around his room and imagined an 8ft ketchup bottle standing in the corner!

“When I came round from the coma, I couldn’t open my eyes; it felt like there were weights on them. But I could hear voices and I recognised Becky’s. I tried to speak, but I was intubated and wearing a mask. They removed those and I tried to speak. On my third attempt, Becky understood that I was asking her to marry me and she said ‘yes’.”

The UK’s first triple amputee

to survive since World War One, Mark was soon moved to a high dependency room with access to Royal Marine Welfare services.

After three weeks he was told by an expert that there was zero chance he would walk again. He describes this as his lowest point, at which he felt suicidal. He was only 24. Five days later, Mark was visited by a veteran who had also lost both legs above the knee in an explosion in Iraq. Encouraged by this, he began to plan his own recovery; he had a laptop in his room and started his research. He went on to complete the first stage of his rehabilitation in just six weeks. Although his rehabilitation will essentially be lifelong and ‘every day is different’, this determined start set Mark up for the months and years ahead. He refers to ‘post traumatic growth’ as being a huge part of his recovery; he sleeps well, isn’t hindered by flashbacks and generally has a very upbeat outlook on life.

Mark and Becky married on 2 May 2009, less than 18 months after Mark’s life-changing accident. Despite issues with his shoes not being suitable for his prosthetics, forgetting his arm liner and struggling on the grass at the reception in a marquee, Mark and Becky were able to fully celebrate their special day, including enjoying a first dance together.

Mark and Becky married in 2009

In the early stages of rehabilitation

Just a month later, he jetted off to America. “I found a chap in America with similar injuries. He was a motivational speaker, an athlete and living with no carers. He didn’t use a wheelchair. “I wasn’t given permission to go and meet him, but I went anyway as I was impatient to get on with my recovery. I spent three weeks with him and his team and haven’t used a wheelchair since the day I left the UK to visit him, 9 June 2009.”

On 1 July 2010, Mark left the Royal Marines for good. He is now an athlete, author and motivational speaker. Becky works locally as a Veteran and Family Hub Manager, and together they raise their young children – Mason, 11, and Evelyn, 9 – in Plymouth.

“Becky and I are like yin and yang – or rather, yin and yin!” says Mark. “We are so similar. We merge and we just work together. We spent part of lockdown delivering food parcels and iPads to veterans together at the height of Covid.” It is clear that Becky has played a huge role in her husband’s recovery and that she also offers crucial support to other veterans in the city – another example of how this family has turned a tragic accident into positive outcomes.

In terms of sport, asked how he came to enter the 50m Breaststroke at the last minute at the Invictus Games, Mark smiles. “I get on well with the Australian team and their coach. My mate Gary had trained for the 50m Breaststroke, but there weren’t enough entrants

– it was going to be cancelled. So I stepped up.

“Seven minutes before the event, I was in the training pool trying to figure out how to do the stroke with only one full arm, going round in circles! Also, if I breathe out when swimming, I sink…” Somehow, Mark managed to win the race. “I felt awful afterwards,” he confides. “I asked Becky if I should throw the next race as I felt so bad for winning, but she rightly said that Gary wouldn’t want to win that way.”

Given his sporting and motivational roles, it’s no surprise that Mark has a collection of awards to his name. “Of all my awards, it’s my MBE and my Pride of Britain Award that I am probably the most proud of.

“I was privileged to meet the Queen twice, but unfortunately my driver got lost ahead of our first meeting and we were slightly late. She jokingly told us off for it. She was lovely and easy to talk to, very much just like a grandmother.”

Mark has met many members of the Royal family and embraces new opportunities with gusto. His life has altered significantly, but he whole-heartedly embraces those changes.

As he says in his book, Man Down: “The injuries I sustained in Afghanistan changed my life, but they do not define it. What defines my life is the meaning I have chosen to attach to what happened to me, to the positive lessons I learned along the way and the growth I have experienced.”n

Joanne Mallard

Meeting Prince Harry at the Invictus Games

Thomas Croft’s portrait of Mark from the BBC television series Extraordinary Portraits

The sky’s the limit

once you’ve tackled the roof!

Wayne and Katie took on their first unit, in Estover, in 2014. It wasn’t an easy transition, with just 12 weeks to obtain planning permission and transform the site.

“I basically moved in!” says Wayne. “I stayed overnight in the van so that I could get on with it; time was tight.”

Once open, Wayne focussed on branding whilst Katie devised lesson plans, and for the first time Wayne was also leading some coaching. “I have a background as a water sports coach and also do some competitive sailing, so I am sporty – but I suddenly had to lead gymnastics classes rather then just supporting!” says Wayne.

In 2018, Wayne was convinced to look at a unit in Match Mill Business Park, Plympton. Estover was thriving and they were looking for a second location.

“It had a small office space, a kitchen area and a disabled toilet. The rest was derelict; there wasn’t even a complete roof!” says Wayne. Yet he was sold on it. A huge refurbishment began, with the couple undertaking a chunk of the work themselves despite Katie being pregnant with their second child and worrying the contractors by getting too involved on site!

With two thriving gyms located in Estover and Plympton, Wayne and Katie Child are a dynamic duo with an inspirational outlook on life.

Wayne and Katie have spent years building their Gym Bubbas brand, having moved down from London in 2009. Originally from Plymouth, Katie returned home in the summer of 2009 to support her parents when her father was suffering with terminal lung cancer. Sadly, her dad passed away in early September 2009, just one month after Wayne and Katie got married. Wayne initially stayed in London to work, travelling down at weekends to support Katie. He moved to Plymouth shortly after, working as an Estate Agent and then as a driver for DHL, whilst they lived with Katie’s mum. Katie, meanwhile, gave birth to the couple’s first child, Austin, in early 2010 and pressed ahead with plans to launch her own gymnastics business; having been a 10m British Diving Champion and taught gymnastics prior to leaving London, her dream was to own her own gym.

Gym Bubbas began on the tennis courts of the Devonshire Health and Racquets Club, offering preschool classes three days per week. Just a year later, it moved to Morgan’s Wellbeing Centre. There was no space to store equipment on site, so the couple began their days early and finished late in order to shift the equipment.

“We’d wake up at 6am and hear the rain outside, knowing that we’d have to move everything,” says Katie. “Then, at the end of a long day, we’d have to get it back into storage and dry it all off! We did it for two years...”

Gym Bubbas opened in Plympton in February 2019; baby Betsy arrived in March. Having still been doing handstands at 9 months pregnant, Katie was back in her natural gym habitat within days – Betsy in tow. The gyms appeared to ‘be on a really good roll’, and by the end of 2019 Gym Bubbas had a staff of 16.

Yet as a former Estate Agent, Wayne took an interest in the economic markets; as 2020 got underway, he noticed that things were beginning to change. Something was wrong... A new, unprecedented challenge was coming and it was about to hit businesses across the world.

The Gym Bubbas team watched Boris Johnson’s March 2020 announcement together at the Plympton gym. “We had already taken the decision to close a week prior to the lockdown announcement,” says Katie. “Cancellations were coming in fast after we had been told to limit nonessential contact; it wasn’t feasible to stay open.

“On the evening of the first lockdown announcement, our kids played in the gym whilst staff sat around a table to listen. Afterwards, Wayne and I shared the business bank balance with staff and asked them the minimum amount that they needed each month to get by.

“We developed a contingency plan that would support us and our staff for five months. This was prior to announcements about financial support, so we did breathe a sign of relief when funding came through.”

Having started up their Estover site in a recession, Wayne and Katie had learnt plenty about financial management. They stopped all non-essential payments and focussed on well-being.

“Sometimes the worst situations bring out the best in people,” says Katie. “We started making fun little videos for families at home to enjoy. We hoped it would make them smile. Our staff then delivered classes live from home; rolled up towels became beams, sofa cushions became floor mats…Our main problem was our feral cat! If we got on the floor, she would try and bite us!”

“To be honest, the second lockdown was harder as we both got Covid,” adds Wayne. When classes re-started, they tackled new challenges

with the passion and energy that they’re known for. They developed Covid-safe systems, which included a method to sanitise the gyms within just five minutes using a fogger. The biggest hurdle was how to teach, as there was no guidance given to gymnastics centres unless they were registered as a British Gymnastics Club.

“I was angry,” says Wayne. “To tell us we could open but not give us the relevant safety guidance was unacceptable and I was very vocal about that. British Gymnastics revoked my membership as a result! But we developed our own Covid-safe systems and shared them with others, which resulted in some great collaborations with franchises of Gymboree UK.”

Looking ahead, the couple are currently working on Ball Bubbas, held at Marjon in collaboration with the Plymouth City Patriots Basketball Club. Aimed at children aged two to six years, Ball Bubbas focusses on ball handling skills that give children the foundations for playing basketball, football, tennis etc. And after that?

“We’re looking at a new gym!” says Katie. “It will possibly be up towards Exeter and will hopefully be a franchise, which is the next stage in our business development.

“Covid was awful, but on the bright side, it allowed us to take stock. We’ve always said that we never want to just sit still – we always want to be doing more. So watch this space for gym number three!” Let’s hope, for their sake, that it has a roof... n Joanne Mallard

“ We started making fun little videos for families at home to enjoy. We hoped it would make them smile. ”

Devon’s Finest Celebrate at Food Drink Devon Awards

Over 330 individuals celebrated at the 11th Food Drink Devon Awards ceremony on Monday 3 October, held at Crowne Plaza Plymouth. The ceremony was hosted by Tony Hawks, Devon-based comedian, author and food lover.

The evening’s canapés and three-course dinner were created by Food Drink Devon board director and Master Chef of Great Britain, Peter Gorton, and Ted Ruewell, Head Chef of Crowne Plaza Plymouth. The menu featured fabulous local produce from members and sponsors.

Chair of Food Drink Devon, Greg Parsons, said: “The Food Drink Devon Awards honour businesses demonstrating a consistent commitment to quality, sustainability, provenance, excellent customer service and

FOOD DRINK DEVON 2022 AWARD WINNERS

Producer Award Winners

Food Product of the Year - Granny Gothards

Strawberries & Cream Artisan Ice Cream (Willand)

Drink Product of the Year - Utopian Brewing Doppelbock (Crediton)

Platinum Producers Awards

Andrew King Chocolates (North Tawton)

- Signature Eighteen Bell & Loxton (Kingsbridge) - Cold Pressed Rapeseed Oil

Blakewell Smokehouse (Barnstaple) - Devon Hot Smoked Salmon

Butter Bike Co (Exeter) - Honey Roast Peanut Butter Chocella (Brixham) - Out of this World Granny Gothards Artisan Ice Cream (Willand)

- Strawberries & Cream Artisan Ice Cream

Ilfracombe Chocolate Emporium (Ilfracombe)

- Three C’s Bar

Salcombe Dairy (Salcombe) - Evening Star Hot Chocolate

support for their local communities and other local businesses. Myself and the board of directors wish to congratulate all of this year’s deserved winners and shortlisted entrants.”

Each year judging for the awards is carried out by a panel of independent and unbiased experts, including a number of celebrated names from the region. All results and winners are verified by an independent adjudicator, with entrants receiving invaluable feedback.

Food Drink Devon strives to showcase Devon as a county where the use of quality, seasonal and local produce is standard. The organisation and its members share a commitment to enjoy, inspire and discover more about food and drink. Look out for their green heart logo, carried by over 350 producers and businesses across Devon.

For more information: visit fooddrinkdevon.co.uk

Utopian Brewing (Crediton) - Doppelbock WILD Gelato (Torquay) - Plant-Based Chocolate Hospitality Award Winners

Chef of the Year – Elly Wentworth, The Angel (Dartmouth)

Best Fine Dining Restaurant – Twenty Seven (Kingsbridge)

Best Restaurant – The Fig Tree @36 (Plymouth)

Best Pub – The Tors (Belstone, Okehampton)

Best Café – Lynmouth Bay Café (Lynmouth)

Best Takeaway – The Pizza Garden (Exmouth) Retail Award Winners

Best Retailer – The Kitchen @25 (Crediton)

Best Online Retailer – Eversfield Organic (Bratton Clovelly) Sustainability Pioneer Award

Producer – Langage Farm (Smithaleigh, Plymouth)

Hospitality – The Bull Inn (Totnes)

email joanne.mallard@ linksmagazines.co.uk

Plymouth driver takes home trophy at Bus Driver of the Year

Kyly took on drivers from England, Wales and Scotland, and had to prove her driving skills, knowledge of bus workings and customer service skills. She was named the best driver in the Go-Ahead Group (Plymouth Citybus’ parent company) and 6th overall – and was the top female in the whole competition.

Kyly said: “There were 10 different ‘tests’ I had to do on the day, plus a theory test. There weren’t many female competitors, which made it even sweeter when I won. I could see the others who came to the competition with me were choked with pride.”

The Bus Driver of the Year weekend included a gala dinner, as well as the competition itself, and Kyly was accompanied by some of the Plymouth Citybus team. Driver Trainer Emma Courtier went with Kyly.

Emma said: “I was like an expectant mum; I was watching her going along the route and I could see she was doing well. Then I heard she got 100% in one of

the tests, so I knew she was scoring well too. When they called her name, I screamed. I couldn’t help it! We’re all incredibly proud of her.

“Kyly is so enthusiastic. It’d be nice if more drivers followed her lead and we could defend her title next year.”

As well as her title, Kyly has the cup for a year, a glass trophy to keep and £1,000 prize money. She said, “As I was doing it, I was thinking ‘this is for the girls’. Now I’ve got something to prove, I want to go back and do even better next time.”

Plymouth Citybus driver Kyly Summerfield has been named one of the best bus drivers in the UK at the 2022 Bus Driver of the Year competition.

Kyly Summerfield with her Bus Driver of the Year cup and trophy

Arts University Plymouth appoints Jack Viant as Illustration Lecturer

Illustrator and Designer Jack Viant has been appointed as a Lecturer on BA (Hons) Illustration at Arts University Plymouth. Specialising in children’s illustrations, Jack is published by Bloomsbury, Miles Kelly, Hachette and Oxford University Press, and represented by the Bright Agency. Plymouth-born Jack is a graduate of Arts University Plymouth and has a long history of association with the university. In 2011, he attended a summer school at the university for creatively gifted students from local schools. In September 2012, Jack joined a foundation year to prepare for degree-level study and then from September 2013 to June 2015 he studied BA (Hons) Illustration at the university, graduating with a First Class honours degree.

Jack said: “I’m Arts University Plymouth’s number one cheerleader. I’ve studied and worked at the university in one way or another for at least the past decade and I’m thrilled to come full circle, after my illustration career has really taken off, and be able to share my experience with the BA (Hons) Illustration students. As a teenager, I felt like I lost all confidence during my time at school, but after I joined Arts University Plymouth I felt that confidence reawakening. The industry placement that I won studying at Arts University Plymouth, to work at

Hallmark for a fortnight, changed my life.

“I’ve had a varied career and I’m proud that since graduating I’ve worked with businesses across the south west, from branding Supha’s Street Food Emporium to working with Urban Splash on the Squiggly Wiggly Giant Squid in Royal William Yard, I’ve collaborated with Real Ideas as part of Illuminate and with Plymouth City Council in Tinside Lido. It’s an honour to have my work seen widely in the city where I live.

“The highlight of my career to date has to be when the global Bright Agency contacted me and said they’d be interested in representing me. Since then I’ve worked with publishers all over the world, but the project that I’m most proud of is illustrating The Monster Who Was Scared of Soap, a Bloomsbury book written by Amy Sparkes. I worked hard to get to this point and I want to make sure that students at Arts University Plymouth can benefit from my experience and learn how to build sustainable careers that are rewarding and fulfilling.”

Mel Brown, Principal Lecturer and Assistant Dean at Arts University Plymouth, said: “Jack was an exemplary student and an absolute pleasure to teach. He cleverly honed his natural talent into professionallyfocused creative expertise and it’s been a joy to chart the progression of his freelance career since he graduated… Jack’s positive energy and commitment to students at Arts University Plymouth is second to none. To have Jack join us as a permanent member of the team is incredibly exciting. It feels like welcoming him home.”

Local partnership

smiles back to survivors of domestic abuse

Award-winning local women’s charity, Trevi, is working with Plymouth-based Peninsula Dental Social Enterprise (PDSE) to deliver life-changing dental treatment.

Women affected by domestic violence often experience dental trauma and ongoing health problems related to lack of dental treatment. This can further lower their self-esteem even when they escape the violence because they no longer feel able to smile.

Many women at Trevi’s Jasmine Residential Recovery Centre and those accessing their Sunflower Women’s Centre may also have been sleeping rough, resulting in severe dental problems.

Tammy says: “My teeth have never been perfect. However, for years I was in a very violent relationship where my ex-partner literally pulled some of my teeth out with a pair of scissors, damaging other teeth at the same time. This really affected my mental health, selfesteem and confidence...

“The controlling nature of the relationship, never being allowed to leave the house alone and poor mental health meant I was unable to get treatment for my teeth over the years.

“On discovering I was pregnant and escaping the relationship, I fled to a women’s refuge and relocated to Plymouth with the help and support of Trevi. I have tried on numerous occasions to get a dentist here in Plymouth only to be told that there is currently a long waiting list for NHS dentists and I can’t afford to go private...

“I need to have dentures but I can’t afford it; this has a big impact on my life. I struggle to eat a lot of foods as I can’t chew them and it’s just so embarrassing. I worry that my child will get picked on and I can’t even smile in photos with my children. I literally have so little selfconfidence because of it.”

Plymouth-based PDSE visited Trevi to meet with some of the women; Community Dentist Elizabeth Murphy is now providing regular treatment to Jasmine residents on a Thursday.

Ruth Branagh, Jasmine Recovery Centre Manager, says: “Many of us take smiling for granted, but what if you felt so self-conscious because of your teeth that you never smiled? Many of our residents have lost teeth due to domestic violence, substance misuse and sleeping rough for many years… The offer from Peninsula Dental Community Outreach Team to provide dental treatment for our ladies will make an enormous difference.”

Karen Burn, Dental Outreach Lead for PDSE says: ‘I am really excited that we are able to offer this service... The impact of poor oral health is far greater than just someone with tooth decay; it can affect general health, with links to heart disease and stroke.

“I am also delighted to be able to support the women in looking after their children’s teeth, by delivering a training workshop where they can learn about the importance of good oral health for their children.”

Elizabeth Murphy with Ruth Branagh, Jasmine Recovery Centre Manager (second from right back row)

Woolwell in Bloom Autumn update

Woolwell in Bloom has had a very exciting time since our Britain in Bloom judging in July. On judging day we had our first rain in over five weeks, but our judges still had big smiles on their faces. Our bloomers were strategically placed around the gardens, and the Woolwell Centre laid on a light lunch and cream tea. We entered Village Pennant this year after our very successful It’s your Neighbourhood entry from last year and gained a very impressive Silver Gilt, only missing out on Gold by a couple of points. We were donated plenty of succulents and pots, so we held a couple of sales and raised £400, which was spent on Autumn planting. We have also completed

a range of talks to local groups such as the Towns Women Guild, the Inner Wheel and a group from Bickleigh village.

In September, our Platinum Jubilee tree was added to the Queen’s Green Canopy map. Sadly, a few days later the Queen passed away. Tributes were soon being placed at the bench in memory of a much-loved monarch. We held a two minute silence on the Sunday evening before the funeral and all the messages that were placed on the bench have been kept to make into a book.

November sees us hold our AGM and complete our Charity Commission report. Our Autumn pots are bringing a splash of colour and this year’s certificate is proudly hanging in the Woolwell Centre. In December, we will hold our annual raffles and have a selling table at the Woolwell Centre’s Christmas Fayre.

I want to thank the Woolwell Bloomers (we have been given a nickname, Woolwell Garden Angels) for their hard work and dedication. The residents and local businesses are also wonderful in their donations and support. When we are out gardening, they stop and ask about our plans and say how lovely the gardens look. It’s amazing to be part of this group and share what it has achieved.

Soraya Lewis-Coleman, Chair of Woolwell in Bloom

difficult year...

This year has been a most difficult one financially for many. The cost of energy and food for day-today living has suddenly risen substantially, with inflation running in many areas in excess of 10%.

Interest rates will be rising to help counter this sudden high inflation and this will be good news for those with deposit account savings. However, interest rates will lag price increases and only partially compensate the effects inflation will have on long-term buying power. Increasing interest rates will negatively impact on the cost of borrowing, and those with mortgages that are not on fixed rates will see their payments increase. These changes may mean tough times ahead for many, as current monthly budgeting and affordability will be strained and tested as the global economy slows. Investment markets have also had a tough 2022 and been volatile in these uncertain times and for many this may have caused extra stress and worry.

There is help in these challenging times from many sources outside family and friends, which may improve decision-making going forward to overcome these current difficulties, short-term and long-term

volatilities, whether pre or post retirement. Good financial planning can help achieve greater financial wellbeing. This could involve:

• t Helping your money work harder for you while ttt reducing investment risk

• t Providing optimised flexible and suitable solutions, ttt helping you understand what is essential and what is not

• t Having flexible plans with clear outcomes that can ttt deal with the unexpected

• t Having peace of mind and confidence that you are ttt making well informed decisions

• t Integrating the aspects of your bespoke plan to work ttt efficiently to meet your needs. Good advice is more important than ever in these challenging times, so do consult well qualified, independent financial planners. n Natasha Bennett, Bennett Wealth Planning

Local children plant tree to remember Queen Elizabeth II

The children of a local school have planted a tulip tree, a favourite of Queen Elizabeth II, in memory of the Queen.

“When the Queen passed away, we felt that it would be nice to plant one of her favourite trees as a memorial, so that staff and students have a peaceful space to reflect,” said John Secker, Deputy Headteacher at Boringdon Primary School. “The Friends of Boringdon kindly funded the tree, which will also be used as a focal point for remembrance events and activities, and we are delighted to now have it planted within our grounds.”

The tree was planted by a group of Key Stage 2 students on Monday 17 October with the help of David Frost from Plymouth Tree Partnership. As part of the process, the children learnt about how to dig a suitable hole, the importance of loosening the tree roots before

planting and how to install a stake to support a tree. They were also shown photographs of mature tulip trees to give them an idea of the size the tree could reach.

Sarah King, Executive Headteacher, said: “We are very grateful to David for giving up his time to come into school and help us plant our new tree. The children really enjoyed getting involved and are looking forward to watching the tree bloom and grow over the coming years.

“We talked about how tall the tree will be by the time their own children are attending primary school. They were very interested and also suggested that we install a commemorative plaque, which is something that we intend to do very soon.” n

New beginnings

If your child was born between 1 September 2018 and 31 August 2019, application services are now open for you to submit your school preferences for September 2023. Whether you are applying via Devon County Council or Plymouth City Council (depending upon location), you have until mid-January 2023 to submit your application (please check exact dates via the relevant councils).

It is worth familiarising yourself with local schools before you make your three choices. If you haven’t already done so, get in touch with them to see if you can take a look around. Most will have already held open events, but will no doubt still be happy to show you around. You also need to check if your chosen schools require any supplementary information. Are there medical or

social criteria for your application? Do you work at your chosen school, in which case you may need to provide proof with your application? Are you applying for a faith school, which could require supporting details of your own faith? These are all things worth considering. Always check each school’s own website for details, so that you can be sure your application is correct.

Once admissions close, teams will assign school places. You will be notified of your allocated school in midApril; the exact date may vary depending on which council you have applied under. You will then be required to either accept your child’s place or appeal it. Further details will be provided by your relevant council as part of the application process. n

Take a look at these dos and don’ts of choosing a primary school* for a handy guide to your next steps.

Do:

Make sure that your child is resident in the area in which you are applying

Complete your application form by the deadline date

Consider how you will get your child to school

Consider naming your local school as one of the preferences

Express a preference for 1, 2 or 3 schools

Inform the council in writing if you have another child already at the school or new to the school

Provide evidence if you feel there are exceptional reasons for your preference

Tell the council in writing if your circumstances change

Inform the council in writing if you know your child’s address is going to change before September

Check whether any school you are interested in asks you to complete a Supplementary Information Form or provide a letter from a priest

Return your Supplementary Information Form or letter to the school admissions team by the closing date or as soon as possible

Don’t:

Assume that you don’t need to apply for a school place – every place will be allocated based on an application

Assume that you don’t need to apply for the school where you already have other children – you must still apply

Assume that if you attend a pre-school on a school’s site that you will automatically get a place

Name the same school three times – this will be considered as one preference

Assume that if you only name one school that it will be offered

Assume that the council knows what you want or the reasons why you want a place at a particular school – you must be sure to inform the admissions team

* From Plymouth City Council’s School Admission Arrangements: A parent’s guide

Outstanding Childcare in

School Drive, Woolwell, Plymouth PL6 7TH 01752 696616 woolwell@bambinosdaynursery.co.uk www.bambinosdaynursery.co.uk

Rewetting our peatlands

Running a family farming business, you would think, would be a straightforward affair. Follow the seasons, grow grass, grow sheep, grow cows, sell them, repeat! This is obviously a large part of what we do but as a result of the farming activity which has taken place on Dartmoor for generations, we have created some pretty special landscapes, full of history, habitat and beauty.

For the past 25 years or so we have been able to enhance what we have, through environmental agreements of various incarnations. Across the farm on our various blocks, we are currently involved in eight different projects or environmental agreements, doing all sorts to enhance and improve things. Although farming has had a bad press at times for its environmental record, here on Dartmoor I think we have done a fair job of working hand-inhand with our environment. There are lots of things we can improve but because it is such a harsh, wet place, at times the only option is to work with nature. Trying to work against it on a bleak, wet rock just will not work!

One of the bigger projects we are involved with is at Dartmoor Prison farm in partnership with the Duchy estate and South West Peatland Partnership (SWPP). Over the past year, we have been rewetting about 200 hectares of peat. In the past, peat on this site was drained and harvested as fuel for the prison and the local community, and the land was dried out to grow more edible forage. Our ancestors made use of a valuable resource available to them at the time, but as

understanding of our natural world has changed, we now know that functioning wet peatlands are great at locking away carbon and slowing water down. SWPP has been awarded a grant to rewet our peat and peatlands all over the South West. The process uses specialist equipment to minimise ground disturbance and create numerous small leaky dams in the drainage channels across the landscape. This slows the flow, raises the water table, and allows the sphagnum moss to grow and regenerate the functioning peatbog, thereby trapping carbon, slowing the flow of our rivers and allowing peatland habitats to thrive.

It is a bit of a leap of faith on our part as we are one of the first farms to rewet part of our land on Dartmoor, but we believe in looking after our natural capital and doing what we can to help mitigate climate change. There is a question over commercial value to the farm. Currently the money available only covers the mechanics of the project, and we are not yet sure how it will affect our cattle and sheep, and their grazing patterns on a wetter landscape. I am sure the next generation of environmental agreement will reward this positive management, assuming the government has the stability to make decisions about the future of our industry, and the ability for agricultural policy to find that sweet spot between feeding people alongside maintaining a thriving environment and landscape. But that is a whole other subject!

Winter sees all the cattle come into the barns to protect them from the Dartmoor weather. Let’s hope we have enough feed to see us through. Cutting out the use of artificial fertilizer saved us money this year, but our harvest was down as a result, and not helped by the dry summer. We will have to be careful and manage what is available as best we can!

I wish you all a Merry Christmas and a happy and prosperous new year, from all at Greenwell Farm! n Mat Cole, Greenwell Farm

www.dartmoorlinks.co.uk

“ Understanding of our natural world has changed; we now know that functioning wet peatlands are great at locking away carbon and slowing water down. ”

Our birdlife this winter

Our birdlife this winter

During the winter months we all look forward to spring and the sight of the first swallow. ‘Our’ swallows are now known to winter in South Africa, nearly 10,000 km (6000 miles) away, although in Gilbert White’s day (1720-1793) they were thought to overwinter in the mud of ponds! Their migration journey includes a crossing of the 2000-mile wide Sahara Desert. The change to milder winters over the last 40-50 years has meant that some flowers are in bloom almost all the year round. A few migrant birds have altered their migration pattern and some remain in Britain through the winter. There are now far more blackcaps and chiffchaffs overwintering in suburban gardens and coastal sites, and some gardens may host several blackcaps during winter. Even small numbers of swallows are now spending the winter in coastal areas of Cornwall.

Flocks of redwings and fieldfares are often seen in the countryside from autumn to spring, feeding on berries and other food. In very cold weather, they even come into gardens. However, there was an almost total failure of rowan berries across Scandinavia in autumn this year. Probably as a result of this berry shortage, easterly winds at the end of October resulted in a huge arrival of winter thrushes on the east coast. Several locations recorded thousands of redwings, with 33,000 over Flamborough and an amazing 122,000 counted over Crosby Marine Park in Lancashire, together with 19,000 fieldfares. In October, whilst staying on Lundy in the Bristol Channel, I witnessed an amazing passage of thrushes, mainly fieldfares, over several days, including

one day when over 4,000 fieldfares were counted, with fewer redwings and ring ouzels. Fieldfares and redwings breed from Scandinavia right across to eastern Russia. They feed on hawthorn, holly berries and rosehips; when feeding on the ground they take worms, snails, beetle larvae and other invertebrates.

As a result of this year’s outbreak of avian influenza, many seabird colonies across Britain and Ireland have been devastated, with many birds dying. This has affected a variety of seabirds, with gannets, terns and skuas badly affected. Apparently the virus can survive for a year or more and there is great concern that it may continue to affect seabird colonies next year. The virus is probably spread through wild birds coming into contact with infected chickens, and then migrating to another country.

Greenfinch numbers have declined over the last decade due to trichomonosis, which affects their lungs. Recent research has now shown that chaffinches, as well as greenfinches, can also be infected with trichomonosis. Since birds visit garden feeding stations on a daily basis, it is very important to clean out the feeders regularly to avoid spreading disease. Don’t forget to provide water for the birds to bathe in; this helps to keep their plumage in good condition. Even a small bird bath is useful. If you get frequent visits from a sparrowhawk intent on his breakfast, place the bird feeders close to a hedge or thick bush so that the birds have somewhere to hide! n

Anthony John

“ Flocks of redwings and fieldfares are often seen in the countryside from autumn to spring, feeding on berries and other food. In very cold weather, they even come into gardens. ”

Feed the birds...

Taking the time to watch feathered friends in the garden can often help to reduce stress and restore calm. And with over 60% of the UK population regularly feeding their garden birds, research suggests that this helps around 196 million birds a year. Keeping your feeders and water trays topped up is important at this time of year to help your garden birds survive through the winter. If your bird feed supplies are running low, your cupboards can hold the answer to attracting feathered friends to your garden. Fruits like apples and pears, even when past their best, can be snapped up by blackbirds and thrushes, while grated mild cheese can be a fantastic source of energy and protein for a range of birds. Cooked pastry, defrosted peas or unsalted bacon leftovers are also great options, as well as cooked rice, pasta and the

inside of potatoes. With a range of options to help tempt your local birds into your garden, the RSPB is urging people across the country to stock up their feeders and ensure fresh water is available this winter.

“ If your bird feed supplies are running low, your cupboards can hold the answer to attracting feathered friends to your garden. ”

It is also important to maintain the hygiene of bird feeders and bird baths throughout the year. Regularly discard any uneaten food, clean feeders and bird baths with a mild detergent and warm water, and allow to air-dry. This will help the health of your feathered friends.

The RSPB, which has been monitoring trends in garden bird numbers for over 40 years, is on hand to provide top tips on how to attract wildlife to your garden as part of its popular Big Garden Birdwatch survey. See page 37 for details of how to get involved. n

Image © Ben Andrew (rspb-images.com)

‘Tis e season

Hardy plants that are not only tough enough to stand up to harsh winter conditions but which look great no matter the weather are a wonderful investment, performing year after year to cheer us up on these dark, short days.

Topiary plants – evergreens stylishly trimmed in a variety of architectural shapes – give handsome substance and structure all year round. For the festive season, they also make a fantastic basis for an outdoor display in front gardens, patio pots and raised beds, wreathed with fairy lights or Christmas decorations. Shapes vary from simple balls and small pyramids to more grandiose tall spirals or standards with a clear stem and a ‘head’ of foliage. A matching pair emphasise and complement doors and gateways; taller plants create structural height in a patio or courtyard while small topiaries look fabulous in window boxes. Popular topiary plants include Box, small leaved Privet, Bay, and of course the Christmas classic, holly. This prickly character comes in a range of leaf colours from dark glossy green to bright variegations of gold and silver that are perfect for winter cheer. Female varieties bear berries: usually glowing sealing-wax red, as well as

yellow, though berries are only borne if a male variety is growing nearby.

Winter-flowering shrubs are few, but those which bloom whatever the weather are real gems. Every garden is likely to have a corner for Christmas box (Sarcococca), a neat little evergreen happy in sun or shade that is a mid-winter delight, smothered in little tassels of creamywhite flowers that aren’t the showiest to look at, but have an amazingly strong scent. Much more space is needed for a plant that combines bright blooms, scent, and autumn leaf colour: witch hazel or Hamamelis, which slowly forms a large shrub 2-3 metres high and wide. My top choice is the variety ‘Pallida’, with bright lemon-yellow, delightfully fragrant flowers. Growth can be restricted by pruning just after the flowers fade, or with care and patience, it’s possible to train Hamamelis into a fan or espalier shape to fit a relatively small space. Finally, easy shrubs that are tops for scent, but not much for looks, are the shrubby winter-flowering honeysuckles Lonicera fragrantissima and L. purpusii. I grow mine in an out-of-the-way border and harvest stems of creamy-white flowers to bring in and enjoy indoors.

To promote your business to 16,100 readers - call 07450 161929 or email advertising@linksmagazines.co.uk

“ Popular topiary plants include Box, small leaved Privet, Bay, and of course the Christmas classic, holly ”

It’s time to treat yourself to some winter cheer or, with Christmas just around the corner, why not give a growing gift that will get bigger and better as the years pass?

Winter plant care tips

Move hardy and borderline hardy plants in pots against a sheltered, ideally southfacing house wall and stand close together so they protect each other. These plants are vulnerable to frost damage as all the rootball is above ground, so wrap the pots in insulating material like bubble polythene or sacking. During severe frosts, wrap the top growth in thick horticultural ‘frost’ fleece.

Good drainage is important, so make sure pots standing on paving can drain freely by raising just off the ground using pot supports or putting pieces of slate or tile beneath. Standing pots on gravel is ideal.

Tender plants in greenhouses and poly tunnels mostly survive with little or no additional heat unless the temperature goes well below zero. The important thing is to water sparingly as plants tolerate a surprising amount of cold so long as they don’t have ‘wet feet’. Regularly pick off dead leaves and faded flowers as these quickly become infested with grey mould that could spread to live growth.

cold

Large shrubs that are destined to be pruned in spring, such as roses, butterfly bush (Buddleja), and mallow (Lavatera) are at risk of wind damage. Reduce growth by half now so there’s less to blow about.

Co age Garden Wildlife

Not long ago our garden was responding to autumn with changing leaf colours, abundant fruit and seeds, flowering ivy and colourful fungi. We were saying goodbye to swallows and redstarts starting their six-week return journey to Africa. But now winter is here. Our hedgehog no longer gathers nest material and sleeps under the old stone trough. Adult peacock and tortoiseshell butterflies have moved indoors to the conservatory. A young field cricket occupies the downstairs loo – a positive sign that numbers are improving.

The extended October warm spell meant many insects began seeking winter shelter later this year. We’ve enjoyed watching a huge garden spider eyeing up our wooden letterbox as a more hospitable refuge, and the large ladybird cluster discovered last year under the bedroom windowsill is back. In the same room is an incomplete bell-shaped solitary wasp nest hanging from the curtains - started during the summer, but then abandoned. Night-time frosts have encouraged our friendly toad to return to his favourite corner in the garage; how he squeezes his bulky body under the door is not yet known. Impervious to the cold with denser fur than other shrews, a

solitary water-shrew has been spotted hunting aquatic prey in the pond. We’ve enjoyed the grey squirrel antics as they try fathoming out where they squirrelled away their winter nut supply. Squirrels are supposed to have good spatial memories to relocate cached food larders - the many unsuccessful holes in our lawn suggest otherwise! Finally, we’ve enjoyed testing Exeter University findings about the pecking order of birds using seed and nut feeders. Our observations suggest the more aggressive birds, such as nuthatches, dominate the nut feeders, while larger birds, such as sparrows and finches, hold sway on the seed feeders. The smaller ones, such as tits and dunnocks, simply wait patiently until a gap opens in the queue. One bird that always trumps the others, however, is the Great Spotted Woodpecker, whose sudden and noisy arrival simply scatters all diners far and wide until he leaves. n Country Mouse

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• Nearby shopping facilities.

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• St. Ann’s Chapel has a post office and store.

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• Good shopping facilities.

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• Dartmoor is only a 10 minute drive away.

Book a contactless park viewing or a design appointment today. Call us on 01935 862079 or visit berkeleyparks.co.uk

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Plymouth Samaritans

Lending a listening ear to those in need this Christmas

While Christmas is often known as the season to be jolly, it can also be a difficult time of year for many people. Whether it’s family problems, financial worries or grief following the loss of a loved one, the festive season can often magnify these pressures, especially this year with the cost of living crisis.

This Christmas, just as every Christmas for the past 50 years, volunteers from the Samaritans of Plymouth, East Cornwall and South West Devon will be available to listen and provide emotional support to those who are struggling to cope.

Norman Holmes, Plymouth Samaritans Director, said: “This time of year can be challenging for all sorts of reasons, which is why it’s so important that we’re here around the clock to support people with whatever they are facing.

“It is my privilege to be the Director of Plymouth Samaritans and to lead an amazing team of around 100 listening volunteers who do this work. Our branch is part of a network of 201 branches across the United Kingdom and Ireland who, together, provide an emotional support service 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.”

The pressure to enjoy the festivities can often make it hard for people to open up and ask for help.

Norman said: “Our volunteers don’t judge or give

advice, we just listen and help callers to explore feelings that they perhaps cannot share with anyone else. Just giving someone the time and space to offload can make such a huge difference in how they feel.”

Samaritans’ volunteers across the UK and Republic of Ireland spent over one million hours responding to calls for help last year and continue to be there for anyone struggling to cope.

This winter Samaritans is encouraging people to #BreaktheSilence. Every 90 minutes in the UK, someone dies by suicide, but talking saves lives. It’s time for all of us to break the silence about struggles with mental health, and especially suicidal feelings. Visit samaritans.org/silence for more information and to donate.

Anyone can contact Samaritans for free, any time from any phone, on 116 123 – even a mobile without credit. Alternatively, you can email jo@samaritans.org n

Want to be a better listener?

Samaritans have a useful guide to starting a conversation with someone you’re worried about. It’s called SHUSH:

• Show that you care. Focus on them. The conversation is ttt not about you, so don’t talk about yourself.

• Have patience. They may not want to open up right ttt away. Build trust. Allow them space to talk.

• Use open questions. A question that requires more than ttt ‘yes’ or ‘no’. Perhaps something like, “How are you ttt feeling today?”

• Say it back. Repeating back something they have said can ttt show that you are listening and perhaps want to clarify ttt what they mean.

• Have courage. It can take time to earn the trust of someone who ttt feels alone and in crisis. Persevere – it could be exactly what a ttt person needs to be able to share what is going on in their mind

If there’s someone you are worried about, reach out and use these tips to start a conversation and encourage them to share how they are feeling. Don’t worry if they don’t feel ready or comfortable to open up to you; just showing that you care will be the most valuable gift that you will give this Christmas.

If you would like to find out more about getting involved with Plymouth Samaritans, please visit www.samaritans.org/branches/ plymouth

Images © Samaritans/ Chris O’Donovan Photography

Alcoholics Anonymous

Lucy’s story

“My name is Lucy and I am an alcoholic. I got sober when I was 24 and have not touched alcohol for over 20 years.

I can still remember the sense of ease and comfort I felt from taking my very first drink of alcohol and how ill I felt the next day. However, it still seemed that alcohol was the answer to my low self esteem and shyness.

Once I started drinking, it was almost impossible for me to stop, yet even knowing this I would always trick myself into picking up the first drink. It was a cycle that continued for years and the consequences just kept getting worse.

I first found out about Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) from a poster in my doctor’s office. I went along to a meeting and was blown away by what I saw and heard. Everyone was so friendly and welcoming. They didn’t seem like alcoholics; they seemed so happy and normal. People began to share their stories and I identified at once with the way that they drank and the way that they had felt. It felt like I had come home, as I had spent years thinking no one could ever understand the things that were going on in my head.

I went back the following week and eventually asked another lady, who had recovered from alcoholism, to be my sponsor. She helped me to work through the 12 step programme of AA. The obsession to drink left very quickly and I have not wanted or needed to drink alcohol ever since. I have had a great 20 years in AA. I got married and have my own family now, but they have

never seen me drunk.

I still go to meetings 20 years on, because when I was new people kept coming so they could be there for me. It also ensures that I keep my own sobriety. Although I am recovered from alcoholism, I have seen that people who stop going to meetings often relapse, so I don’t want to take the risk.

Nowadays there are so many ways to reach out to Alcoholics Anonymous. They have a ‘chat now’ service on their national website, plus a national and local helpline. You can also email via the local website. All of their responders are recovered members of AA, so whoever you speak to will understand what it’s like to suffer from alcoholism. Of course, people can also just turn up at a meeting; these are listed on the national and local websites. Meetings will be either listed as closed (only for people who think they may have a drink problem) or open (anyone can attend – family, friends, interested professionals etc)." n

Support information:

National Website: www.alcoholics-anonymous.org.uk

Local website: www.plymouthaa.org.uk

National helpline: 0800 917 7650

New Year, New You!

As 2023 looms, many of us will start to take stock of the year gone by. Globally and nationally there have been turbulent times, and 2022 may well be a year that many are glad to see the back of.

It is also the time of year when our minds may turn to resolutions. Often these resolutions are health related – lose weight, get fitter, stop smoking or drinking... The depressing truth is that less than 10% of New Year’s resolutions are still in place by February.

So how can we make sure that our resolutions see us through to next year and beyond?

1 Make sure it’s something YOU want to change. Often people say they want to change something in their life because they think they ‘ought to’ or because their family (or doctor!) have nagged them to. Motivation comes from within, so make sure it’s something that you really want to do.

2 Understand why you haven’t done it yet. Smoking, alcohol or eating can all give us pleasure; perhaps we haven’t changed our habits because we enjoy them. Try and think about other things you could do to fulfil those needs.

3 Make your goals specific. Saying “I’m going to lose weight” is very vague and almost certain not to work. Instead you might say “This week I am going to sign up for a weight loss app” or “I will start keeping a food diary and will aim to lose a 1lb a week”.

4 Is it manageable or realistic? Setting an unachievable goal will mean failure is far more likely. If you are someone who does no physical exercise at all, aiming to run the London Marathon in a few months may be

unrealistic. Why not set a smaller, more manageable shortterm goal like completing the couch to 5K programme or going for a walk three times a week? Working towards longer-term goals in a step-wise fashion means you can see progress more quickly and reward yourself for your achievements.

5 Avoid the all or nothing approach. I often see patients who have tried something such as giving up smoking, but as soon as they cave in and have one cigarette, they think, “That’s it, I’ve failed” and ditch the whole idea. Accept that it may be two steps forwards and one step back. One bad day, or even several, does not mean that you should stop trying.

6 Let other people know your plans. If you tell family and friends what you are planning, it makes it much less likely you will back out on your plans. It can also be helpful to have others around you willing you on. Why not get a friend or relative to do it with you? Backing out of that weekly exercise class becomes a lot more difficult if there is someone else to consider.

7 Remove temptations. For example, If you are giving up smoking, make sure before you start that there are no cigarettes in the house, no ashtrays, no matches etc. If temptation strikes, this makes it much harder to fall off the wagon.

8 Plan ahead – don’t wait until New Year’s Eve to make your plans. Read up on your goals and then then set a start day. Think about what you will do when you are tempted or feel like giving up. How will you manage it? How could you distract yourself? Phoning a friend, having drink of water or even walking around the block may help. n

Dr Rachel Tyler is a doctor at Stirling Road Surgery, St Budeaux

When we stand, our weight is distributed from the heel onto the ball of the foot where the skin is tougher. When there is an increase in pressure, some areas of skin can thicken and form corns and callus.

Callus is a build-up of hard skin on the sole of the foot. It is usually caused by a bony deformity, your gait or unsuitable footwear. Sometimes patients are more prone to forming callus due to their skin type.

Corns are caused by pressure over bony prominences and the centre may cause pain if it is pressing on a nerve. There are five different types of corns:

1 Hard corns – the most common type, which presents as a small area of hard skin up to the size of a small pea. This can be caused by the foot functioning incorrectly.

2 Soft corns – these develop with pressure and are usually white and rubbery. They often form between toes where the skin is moist.

3 Seed corns – these are tiny corns that tend to form on their own or in groups on the bottom of the foot and are usually painless.

4 Vascular/neurovascular corns – these are corns that have both nerve fibres and blood vessels in them. They can be very painful and quite often bleed if cut.

5 Fibrous corns – these form when corns have been chronic and are more attached to deeper tissues. I do not recommend trying to remove a corn yourself, especially if you are diabetic. A podiatrist will be able to reduce the corn and recommend a treatment plan to try and prevent the corn returning or to manage it. Always consult a podiatrist for advice before purchasing corn removing products. Be careful about

using corn plasters, as they contain acids which can burn the skin, potentially causing an infection. A podiatrist will be able to remove corns and callus, apply padding or insoles to relieve pressure or fit corrective appliances for long-term relief.

Emollient creams delay callus building up and help improve the skin’s natural elasticity. Your podiatrist will be able to advise you on the best skin creams. You may also need to wear more supportive or wider fitting footwear to reduce pressure on the affected area.

If you have corns or callus, you can treat them yourself by gently filing the area and applying a moisturising cream. Do not self-treat if you have diabetes, poor circulation or a reduced immune system.

If you experience any foot care issues that are not getting better or seem to be getting worse, you should seek professional help. Always ensure that any practitioners you visit are registered with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) and describe themselves as a podiatrist (or chiropodist). n Chelsea Tritschler, HCPC Registered Podiatrist at Derriford Therapies

Karen Eccles took up running after having her second child. Now Chair of the Plymouth Harriers, she shares her inspirational journey...

At the age of 34, after the birth of my second child, I started running to lose the last stone of weight that I had gained during pregnancy. I walked/ran from work to my childminder’s house to collect my children. Running was free, so was ideal at a time when we didn’t have a lot of disposable income. It was also easy to fit running into my busy life and I immediately saw the benefits: I lost weight; my self-esteem and body image improved; I had more energy; I ate more sensibly to support my running; and my cardiovascular fitness improved. Cardiovascular disease is one of the main causes of death and disability in the UK. Running helps to lower your risk and can also help protect individuals from strokes, control blood pressure, increase good cholesterol levels in the body, reduce the risk of blood clots, improve lung function, boost the immune system, lower the risk of breast cancer, and protect women from osteoporosis during the menopause. During the early part of my running life, I ran on my own, but my running would drop off during the winter because I didn’t like running on my own in the dark or in horrible weather. I found it difficult to maintain my weight and I missed the post-run ‘high’. When running and exercising, the brain releases

endorphins that ease stress and anxiety, boosting your mood. Endorphins are neurotransmitters and the body’s natural painkillers. The running ‘high’ is especially beneficial for individuals who suffer with Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), commonly known as ‘winter depression’.

In 2000, I joined a running club to continue running through the winter with a group of like-minded individuals. I developed lifelong friendships borne out of an understanding of what you all go through when training together, keeping each other going in allweather conditions. On the days that I didn’t want to run, I went anyway because I was meeting my club mates and I didn’t want to let them down. We always had fun and I felt so much better afterwards.

At 61, I still have those same friends and am now Chair of the Plymouth Harriers. Running has enriched my life beyond words and I’m always happy to welcome others into the sport to see how it changes their lives too.n

Karen Eccles, Chair of Plymouth Harriers – chair@plymouthharriers.net

Karen Eccles

24-26 February

Aladdin and the Pirates

Ivybridge Theatre Company presents Brian Luff’s family pantomime at The Watermark, Ivybridge.

Join Aladdin, Dame Widow Twankey, Wishee Washee and friends for some fun, singing, dancing and audience participation. There will be the usual quest to find love, great jokes, booing, meddling genies and a magic lamp... plus swashbuckling pirates and a chirpy penguin! Tickets: Online or via the Box Office on 01752 892220. Adult: £8 | Child: £5

Competition

Ivybridge Theatre Company has kindly donated four tickets (for two adults and two children) to ‘Aladdin and the Pirates’. Enter our competition for your chance to win! 10 robins are hiding in this issue; each robin has a letter. Unscramble the letters to reveal a name, then email your answer to joanne.mallard@ linksmagazines.co.uk. Please put ‘Aladdin’ in the subject box and include your name and contact telephone number. Alternatively, you can post your entry to Aladdin Competition, Plym Links, The Sanctuary, Kilworthy Hill, Tavistock PL19 0EP. Please include your name and contact details. Deadline for entries: 4 January 2023. The winner will be drawn at random and notified by 6 January 2023. Good luck!

Santa’s Rotary rounds

Our local Rotary clubs will once again be bringing the magic of Christmas to nearby streets this year as they embark on their annual festive fundraiser.

Beginning in the second week of December, Rotary members will be accompanying Santa and his musical lit-up sleigh around local areas. They will follow a different route each evening, covering as much ground as possible in the lead-up to Christmas.

As usual, the Rotary will be supported by volunteers from other local charities, with donations split between all of the charities involved.

Win Scutt, President of Plympton Rotary, said: “We are really looking forward to spreading festive cheer again this year! Look us up on Facebook and be sure to check if we are heading your way. We have a digital tracker to help you keep an eye on where we are each evening – so you’ll hopefully know when Santa is nearby!”

More Information: Plympton Facebook: @plymptonrotary Roborough Facebook: @PlymouthRoboroughRotary

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Festive family fun at Buckland Abbey & Cotehele

Whether discovering the magical winter forest within Buckland Abbey’s Great Barn or admiring the 60ft festive garland at Cotehele, there are plenty of activities to keep the whole family entertained this winter.

Step into a magical forest at Buckland Abbey as the Great Barn is turned into an immersive light display filled with 100 Christmas trees, the sounds of the forest and light changing from dawn to dusk. Look out for different animals along your way before completing the habitat exploration trail around the gardens. Head into the Abbey to see the house fully decorated as it turns into an Elizabethan home of feast and festivity, working with local floristry groups who have beautifully decorated the fireplaces and stairways around the Abbey. Don’t miss the cascade descending down the Georgian staircase with over 700 decorations made by volunteers, exploring how with the changing of the seasons, the ruling king changes too.

And why not celebrate Christmas with a festive day out to Cotehele?

Every year Cotehele’s gardeners build a 60-foot garland from

thousands of flowers grown on the estate. Head to the Great Hall to admire this year’s festive masterpiece adorning the entire length of the hall, featuring thousands of dried flowers. Follow the festive lights along the stream to find Cotehele Mill tucked within the Morden Valley. See the mill decorated in traditional Victorian style and discover how families celebrated Christmas in those times. Challenge the family to see who can complete Cotehele’s Winter trails the quickest, get creative at our crafting stations and see who looks best in the various outfits to try on. It wouldn’t be a National Trust visit without a break for cake; Cotehele and Buckland Abbey have plenty of options. Keep those mittens warm with a warming hot chocolate as you explore the estate paths or head indoors to enjoy festive treats and light meals. Find local gifts within the shops or something unique in the craft galleries. Every time you join, make a purchase, donate or volunteer, you help us to look after Buckland Abbey and Cotehele – thank you.

To take part in the Big Garden Birdwatch 2023, watch the birds on your balcony, in your garden or in your local green space...

Photography © National Trust / Steven Haywood. Festive memories made at Cotehele and Buckland Abbey

A

Here we come a-wassailing

‘Wassail’ is an old English word for ‘your health’, which was said when passing around a ceremonial drinking bowl, with the reply ‘drink hail’. From this tradition developed the wassailing of the orchard, to wish the trees health and abundant crops in the forthcoming year. Cider is poured on the roots and toast is tied to the branches to ‘feed’ the tree. Musicians play while everyone sings the wassailing song. The crowd then makes as much noise as possible to frighten any bad spirits. Dartmoor Border Morris will lead the Cornwood Wassail on Sunday 1 January (New Year’s Day) from 3pm. They’ll begin with a bit of dancing outside the Cornwood Inn before taking a short walk up to the Millennium orchard. Wellies are a must and children of all ages are very welcome. The following Sunday, 8 January from 12pm, the group will be at Buckland Abbey performing their traditional Mummers’ Play in the Great Barn and a Wassail in the Great Orchard. Their last Wassail will be in Bere Ferrers’ church hall on Saturday 21 January, starting around 6pm. You can join Dartmoor Border Morris on any given Wednesday

night in Meavy Parish Hall, where they would be pleased to see any new dancers or musicians.

Latest times & dates: www.dartmoorbordermorris.com or like their Facebook page

Big Garden Birdwatch 2023

The next RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch takes place from 27-29 January 2023. People are asked to spend just one hour watching and recording the birds in their garden, balcony or local park, then send their results to the RSPB.

This year marks the 44th Big Garden Birdwatch. Starting in 1979, it has become a much-loved annual event that provides a valuable snapshot of how garden birds are doing in the UK.

The house sparrow remained at the top of the Big Garden Birdwatch rankings as the most commonly seen garden bird in 2022, with more than 1.7 million recorded sightings. Blue tit and starling remained in the number two and three positions respectively. Over its four decades, Big Garden Birdwatch has highlighted the winners and losers in the garden bird world. It was first to alert the RSPB to the decline in song thrush numbers, which are down a shocking 81% compared to the first Big Garden Birdwatch. This species was a firm fixture in the top 10 in 1979, but by 2009, its numbers were less than half those recorded in 1979. It came in at 20 in the rankings last year, seen in just 8% of gardens.

To take part in the Big Garden Birdwatch 2023, watch the birds on your balcony, in your garden or in your local green space for one hour at some point over the three days. Only count the birds that land, not those flying over. Report the highest number of each bird species you see at any one time – not the total you see in the hour. Beccy Speight, the RSPB’s Chief Executive, said: “Whatever you see – one blackbird, twenty sparrows or no birds at all – it all counts. It helps us build that vital overall picture of how our garden birds are faring from o ne year to the next. With so much challenging our birds now, it’s more important than ever to submit your results. Our garden birds are counting on you!”

The parallel event RSPB Big Schools’ Birdwatch takes place during the first half of spring term, 6 January-20 February 2023. In 2021, it celebrated its 20th anniversary of connecting children with nature in their school grounds. Since its launch, over a million school children and teachers have taken part.

Further Information:

Registration for Big Garden Birdwatch 2023 opens on 13 December 2022. From this date, text BIRD to 70030 or visit www.rspb.org.uk/birdwatch for your FREE Big Garden Birdwatch guide, which includes a bird identification chart, top tips for your birdwatch, RSPB shop voucher and advice on how to help you attract wildlife to your garden.

DECEMBER DIARY DATES

Plymouth Christmas Market

Thurs 1-Sun 18 Dec, Armada Way, City Centre

This year’s event will feature a brand new market layout, as well as additional amenities and attractions on site.

Mitch Benn: It’s About Time

Sat 3 Dec, 20:00 at The Watermark, Ivybridge

Mitch Benn, comedian, songwriter and thinker of deep thoughts (not to mention “the country’s leading musical satirist” - The Times) is back, clock in one hand and guitar in the other, to help you look at time in a whole new way. Tickets from £14.

Music for Advent & Christmas

Sat 3 Dec 2022, 19:30-21:30 at St Andrew’s Church, Royal Parade, Plymouth

Music by Bach, Victoria, Rutter, Chilcott, Palestrina and more. £14 (£12 in advance) | Students £4 | Tel 01752 776479

Christmas Craft and gift fair

Sunday 4 Dec 2022, 11:00-15:00 at YMCA PLYMOUTH, Honicknowle Lane, Plymouth

The Lord Mayor and consort will open the doors at 11am, where you will find over 50 shopping stalls to browse. There will be a Wishy Washy magic show between 12pm-1pm; food and refreshments; 3 x bouncy castles for children; face painting; and glitter tattoos. Wear fancy dress for a chance to win a prize! Free entry.

Plymouth Railway Circle: Jim Collins ‘Three Cheers to British Rail – Plymouth and Cornish Railways’ Mon 5 Dec, 19:00-22:00 at St Edward’s Church Hall, Plymouth

Jim reflects on his time as Area Manager for Plymouth and later as Area Manager for Plymouth and Cornish Railways in the period between 1984 and 1988.

Members £1 | Visitors £2

Cinderella

Tue 6 Dec-Sat 10 Dec, 19:30 (Sat Matinée 14:30) at The Muse Theatre, Lipson Co-operative Academy

Embrace the festive season as the Fairy Godmother of all Pantomimes ‘Cinderella’ returns to Plymouth!

The Wranglers Theatre Company proudly presents this magical

pantomime coming to The Muse Theatre this December. Tickets from £12.

St. Agnes Fountain

Weds 7 Dec, 20:00 at The Watermark, Ivybridge

The group, performing as a trio, will be playing new material and reworking those old Aggie classics. Tickets £20.

Dick Whittington and his Cat

Thurs 8-Sat 10 Dec at The Devonport Playhouse

Come and join in the fun of panto with “it’s behind you!”, booing and hissing at King Rat and having a good old laugh with an amazingly funny script. In honour of the group’s founder, the late David Bailey. Tickets from £10.

Ha-Hum-Ah Theatre’s ‘Oh No It Isn’t!’ Festive Show

Fri 9-Sat 24 Dec at The Barbican Theatre, Plymouth

They’re the best of sisters on stage but the worst of friends off it… It’s the final performance of Cinderella in a moth-eaten, regional theatre and backstage tensions threaten to boil over onstage. Based on a lifetime of experience onstage and backstage, ‘Oh No It Isn’t!’ is a hilariously funny and beautifully moving new play. For ages 12+ (contains some strong language). Tickets priced at £13.50-£16.50

Zooluminate

Fri 9 Dec-Mon 2 Jan (excl. 24-26 Dec), 17:00-20:00 at Dartmoor Zoo

A series of beautiful light installations (from JHAV, the incredible team that brought you The Atlantic Project and Illuminate Festival of Light), which bring the zoo to life after dark in the most enchanting way possible. Admission prices apply.

Mark Thomas – Black and White

Sat 10 December 2022, 20.00 (Doors/Bar 19:00) at The Quad Theatre, Marjon, Plymouth Expect creative fun from one of our oldest surviving alternative comics. Tickets from £17.50

University of Plymouth Choral Society Christmas Concert

Sat 10 Dec, 19:30–21:10 at St Andrew’s Church, Royal Parade, Plymouth

In a musical celebration of Christmas there will be carols for all and a popular selection of seasonal choral and instrumental masterpieces from the University of Plymouth Choral Society.

Tickets priced at £6-£16

The Christmas Mouse

From Thurs 15 Dec at Soapbox Children’s Theatre, various dates Christmas Mouse has lost his home when the snow begins to fall.

Can the Christmas Mouse find somewhere warm and snuggly before Christmas Day?

Tickets from £10

Sleeping Beauty

16 Dec 2022-14 Jan 2023 at the Theatre Royal, Plymouth

Join soap star and panto legend Shane Richie this Christmas at TRP and make Sleeping Beauty the pantomime of your dreams! Tickets from £18

The Snow Cat at Yuletide

From Sat 17 Dec at Soapbox Children’s Theatre, various dates The Snow Cat at Yuletide is an enchanting story from an Icelandic traditional tale. Tickets from £12

Gary Delaney: Gary In Punderland

Sun 18 Dec, 7.30pm (Doors/Bar 6.30pm) at The Quad Theatre, Marjon, Plymouth

Get ready to dive into a rabbit hole of the best jokes in the world - star of Live at the Apollo and sell-out sensation Gary Delaney is back! Tickets available online – £20 + booking fee

Magnificent

Bublé

Sun 18 Dec, 19:30 at Plymouth Guildhall Magnificent Bublé is the UK’s finest authentic Michael Bublé theatre tribute show with an incredible 12 piece big band, fronted by James Billington. Tickets available from See Tickets – £19.80£27.50

Plymouth Jazz Club: Dart Valley Stompers

Sun 18 Dec, 19:30 (doors open at 19:00) at the Royal British Legion, Crownhill

The Dart Valley Stompers, led by award winning reed player Jeremy Huggett on clarinet, saxophones & vocals, is one of the most popular and busiest jazz bands in the country and has proved a great favourite with Plymouth Jazz Club. Tickets on the door. Admission £15 (Members £12, Students £7) Website www.plymouth-jazz-club.org.uk

Bubblicious: New Year’s Eve Family Rave

Sat 31 Dec, Soapbox Theatre

Baby Rave: 1.00pm-3.00pm (Walking / Dancing children under 5 years and their big folk)

Family Rave: 4.00pm-6.00pm (Walking / Dancing children over 4 years and their big folk) Book online. Prices from £10.

January

JANUARY DIARY DATES

Cornwood Wassail

Sun 1 Jan, 15:00, Cornwood Inn

Join Dartmoor Border Morris in their wassail.

An Evening of Mediumship with Nikki Kitt

Friday 6 January, 19:30 at The Watermark, Ivybridge

As a Medium, Nikki Kitt aims to provide evidence of life after life by getting links from loved ones in spirit for people in the audience. Tickets £11.

Mummers’ Play

Sun 8 Jan, 12:00, Buckland Abbey Mummers’ Play and wassail with the Dartmoor Border Morris.

Plymouth Jazz Club: The New Washboard Syncopators

Sun 15 Jan, 19:30 (doors open at 19:00) at the Royal British Legion, Crownhill The New Washboard Syncopators is a six piece band with a percussionist and washboard player instead of a drummer. The band plays a mixture of trad and New Orleans jazz with a hint of skiffle from the ‘50s. Tickets on the door. Admission £12 (Members £9, Students £7) Website www.plymouth-jazz-club.org.uk

SIX The Musical

Tues 17 Jan–Sat 21 Jan 2023 at the Theatre Royal, Plymouth The international smash hit musical SIX makes its royal return to Plymouth! From Tudor Queens to Pop Princesses, the six wives of Henry VIII take to the mic to tell their tales, remixing five hundred years of historical heartbreak into an 80-minute celebration of 21st century girl power. These Queens may have green sleeves but their lipstick is rebellious red. Recommended age 10+. Tickets from £40.

Bere Ferrers Wassail

Sat 21 Jan, 18:00, Bere Ferrers’ church hall

Wassail with the Dartmoor Border Morris – small entry fee involved, but this charity event also includes more Morris dancing, poetry, music from other groups and a pasty supper.

The Magic of Motown

Sat 21 January, 19:30 at Plymouth Pavilions

Get ready for the biggest Motown party of the year! You’ll be going Loco down in Acapulco as we take you back down memory lane with all the Motown classics from artists such as Marvin Gaye,

Diana Ross, Stevie Wonder, The Temptations, The Supremes, The Jackson 5 and many more. Celebrate the sound of a generation with one very special night of The Magic of Motown! Tickets £33.04.

The Commitments

23 Jan–28 Jan 2023 at the Theatre Royal, Plymouth

The Commitments is a fantastically feel good celebration of soul. Returning to tour the UK and Ireland 5 years after a phenomenally successful, record-breaking run-in London’s West End and subsequent sell-out tour. Tickets from £27; concessions available.

REGULAR DIARY DATES

A selection of regular activities in your local area. Please check ahead for Christmas / New Year breaks or changes.

Lee Moor Public Hall

Sequence Dancing

Monday, 19:00-22:00

Badminton Tuesday, 18:45-21:00

Local libraries

Contact the library service or look online for full schedules: library@plymouth.gov.uk | 01752 305900

Craft and Chatter Groups

Tuesdays, 14:00-15:00 at Estover library Wednesdays, 10:30-12:00 at Crownhill library

Lego Club

Saturdays, 10:00-12:30 at Plympton, Plymstock and Southway libraries, 10:30-12:30 at Crownhill library

Come along to our Lego club and get creative. Suitable for children over 5 yrs accompanied by a parent/guardian.

Readers’ Group

1st Thursday of the month, 10:30-11:30 at Plympton library We discuss a particular book and what else we have been reading.

Rhyme Time

Mondays & Saturdays, 10:30-11:00 at Plympton Library | Tuesdays, 10:00-10:30 at Southway library | Fridays, 11:30-12:00 at Estover library

Enjoy songs and rhymes with your child and mingle with other parents and carers. Aimed at children under 5yrs old and their families

Storytime

Tuesdays, 15:45-16:15 at Plympton library | Fridays, 15:30-16:00 at Crownhill library

Come along to our after school storytime session aimed at children aged 4 to 8 yrs and their families.

To promote your business to 17,280 readers - call 07450 161929 or email advertising@linksmagazines.co.uk

Rees Centre Wellbeing Hub, Plympton

Baby & Toddler Group | Latch On Mondays, 13:00-14:30

Shaugh Prior Village Hall

Food Lovers – Christmas Party

Thurs 15 Dec, 19:30 (also meeting on 19 Jan), Shaugh Prior Village Hall A themed night for food lovers to meet and share their dishes on the third Thursday of each month. £1 per person. Bring your own drinks. Contact Liz Nicolls 07903912111 / Viv Jenkins 07876572120 / Cathie Boulting 07478519491.

Pilates – Bottoms Up Fitness

Wednesdays, 12:00-13:00, Shaugh Prior Village Hall

Contact Lorraine on Facebook/fitmoorin@gmail.com

Sparkwell Parish Hall Sparkwell Farmers’ Market

Last Sunday of the month, 9.30-12:00, Parish hall

A wide selection of local businesses with a range of products and a Sister Snacks in the kitchen offering a full breakfast menu. Spaces available for stall holders.

Contact Corey-Ann via the facebook group @sparkwellfarmersmarket or via email at mmeventsdevon@gmail.com

St Mary’s Church Hall, Plympton Messy Church

Third Saturday of the month, 10:.30-12:30 Come along for family fun! Plympton Foodbank Tuesdays & Thursday, 10:00-13:00

Woolwell Centre Woolwell Cafe: Weekdays, 9:00-15:00

SMART@Woolwell Art Group: Monday, 12:30-14:30

Townswomen’s Guild Meeting: Monthly 2nd Tuesday of the month, 14:00-16:00

U3A Moor’s Edge (Monthly): Monthly, 2nd Tuesday of the month but moving to 2nd Friday of the month in 2023, 14:30-16:30

We welcome those who are retired or semi-retired. Currently we have over 20 interest groups, hopefully something for everyone!

Tues 13 December: Christmas party

Fri 13 January: James Murray will talk about hilarious mishaps touring the world in a talk entitled ‘Mad, mad world of Opera’.

Gossip and Giggles Wednesday, 9:15-11:00

Active Mum Plymouth Wednesday, 9:45-12:00

U3A Bridge Club Wednesday, 13:30-15:30

Inner Wheel Club of Roborough Monthly, 4th Wednesday of the month, 19:00-22:00

Bickleigh Parish Council Monthly, 4th Thursday of the Month, 19:15-21:30

Walk, Talk and Tea Saturday, 10:30-11:30

Christmas with Phoenix Chorale

St Peter and The Holy Apostles, Plymouth, PL1 5EG

Come and join Pheonix Chorale for an evening of fabulous choral music with carols old and new!

Music will include: Eric Whitacre’s Glow; John Rutter’s Shepherd’s Pipe Carol; Mack Wilberg’s arrangement of Ding! Dong! Merrily on High; James MacMillan’s O Radiant Dawn; Billy Joel’s And so it goes; and Handel’s rousing Hallelujah Chorus. Mulled wine and mince pies will be available as well as the group’s annual raffle to win a luxury hamper. Tickets are £12 from www.ticketsource.co.uk or £14 on the door; under 18s admitted free.

Further information: visit plymouthphoenixchorale.org

British Art Show 9

Don’t miss your chance to see work by 37 of the UK’s most exciting artists at The Box, KARST, The Levinsky Gallery at the University of Plymouth and MIRROR at Arts University Plymouth. With film, photography, multimedia, painting, sculpture

and performance, plus a great events programme, there’s plenty to interest and inspire you at British Art Show 9. Whether this is your first introduction to contemporary art or you’re an arts enthusiast, everybody is welcome. The exhibition is free with no need to book and runs until 23 December at KARST, The Levinsky Gallery and MIRROR and 8 January at The Box.

Bell, Book and Candle (U) + Short film: Fire Spells

1 Dec, 18:00

It is almost Christmas, so Plymouth Arts Cinema will serve up a very special and seasonal end to their Season of the Witch programme!

French Film Festival: Rodeo

2 December 8.30pm | 3 December 2022, 5.30pm Hot-tempered and fiercely independent, Julia finds escape in a passion for motorcycles and the high-octane world of urban ‘Rodeos’.

Aftersun, MUBI GO 3 December, 2.30pm & 8.00pm

Sophie reflects on the shared joy and private melancholy of a holiday she took with her father twenty years earlier...

Full listings: visit plymouthartscinema.org

is coming to Theatre Royal Plymouth

30 January - 4 February

Baz Luhrmann’s smash hit musical Strictly Ballroom is set to sweep audiences off their feet once more with its new 2022/2023 tour, directed by the fab-u-lous Craig Revel Horwood. Former Strictly Come Dancing champion Kevin Clifton stars as Scott Hastings, whilst EastEnders star and Strictly Come Dancing finalist Maisie Smith makes her musical theatre debut in the lead female role of Fran. Kevin and Maisie were previous champions of the Strictly Come Dancing Children in Need Special 2019. The show – choreographed by Craig Revel Horwood and Strictly Come Dancing’s Creative Director, Jason Gilkison – is based on the award-winning, global film phenomenon ‘Strictly Ballroom’, which inspired the world to dance and spawned the smash hit TV series ‘Strictly Come Dancing’. It is set to dazzle audiences all over the UK & Ireland and will be at Plymouth’s Theatre Royal from 30 January – 4 February 2023.

Strictly Ballroom: The Musical tells the beguiling story of Scott Hastings, a talented, arrogant and rebellious young ballroom dancer. When Scott’s radical dance moves see him fall out of favour with the Australian Federation, he finds himself dancing with Fran, a beginner with no moves at all. Inspired by one another, this unlikely pair gather the courage to defy both convention and their families – and discover that, to be winners, the steps don’t need to be strictly ballroom… Strictly Ballroom brings to life iconic songs including

Love is in the Air, Perhaps Perhaps Perhaps and Time After Time with dynamic and joyous verve. The show will also feature some amazing new songs by internationally acclaimed artists including Sia, David Foster and Eddie Perfect. Scintillating singing, dazzling dancing and eye-popping costumes will combine together to bring audiences a story of heart, comedy and drama; it promises to be an unforgettable night under the glitter ball.

Craig Revel Horwood said: “I am absolutely delighted to be directing the amazing Kevin Clifton and the sensational Maisie Smith, together with our super talented cast in Strictly Ballroom: The Musical – I know that they’ll all be FAB-U-LOUS! Expect some sexy moves, sizzling costumes and a simply sensational evening!”

Kevin Clifton said: “I’m thrilled to finally be fulfilling my lifelong ambition to play Scott Hastings in Strictly Ballroom: The Musical... I’m beyond excited to be performing with Maisie again – she’s amazing – and can’t wait to don the golden jacket and waltz all over the UK with her in this incredible show!”

Maisie Smith said: “Dancing in Strictly has been a huge part of my life, and been so much fun. I’m absolutely delighted to be able to continue that journey in Strictly Ballroom: The Musical. Not only do I get to make my musical theatre debut with my former partner in crime, Kevin Clifton, but I get to work with Craig Revel Horwood and Jason Gilkison again too – I can’t wait!”

ART GALLERY

Local recipe

Matt Dell of The Box Kitchen & Bar

The Box Kitchen & Bar inhabits a magnificent space beneath a flotilla of figureheads, where you can enjoy everything from carefully curated menus and high-quality food to an impressive bar serving a range of delicious drinks. The restaurant offers a unique space for friends to catch up, a special place for those early evening date nights and the opportunity to slow down after a busy day out with the kids. There is a hearty all-day brunch and a daytime menu suited to all tastes.

Head Chef Matt Dell delivers an ever-changing seasonal menu that showcases the best of the South West. His stunning dishes use the very best local ingredients raised, grazed and grown in the surrounding landscape and fished from nearby waters.

The modern dining space is a great place to start or end your visit to The Box, or to enjoy a special Plymouth evening out. Event menus and special occasions are also catered for – keep an eye on the website and social media for details.

Maple roasted carrot & chickpea ‘nut’ roast

Ingredients

800g/28oz tinned chickpeas

50ml chickpeas in water

1 white onion finely diced 4-6 cloves of fresh garlic - crushed 2 red peppers – finely chopped

1 red chilli – finely chopped 200g gluten free breadcrumbs

20g fresh thyme

50g fresh parsley chopped 10g table salt

To glaze: 40g of the chickpea water/aquafaba

1 tbsp of icing sugar

1 heaped tbsp of maple syrup

1 tbsp of strong wholegrain mustard

1 tsp Sea Salt Method

• Start by preparing your vegetables.

Set aside.

• Preheat your oven to 180°C.

• Weigh all dry produce up by having a mixing bowl on your scales.

• Pulse your chickpeas in a food processor with some of the reserved aquafaba.

• Mix everything together to form a dough.

• Line a bread tin with parchment paper.

• Bake for 6 minutes and prepare your glaze in the meantime.

• You need to thicken up the aquafaba for a minute until slightly thicker.

• Fold in the rest of your ingredients

• After six minutes of baking in the oven, take out the loaf and prick it with a cake needle or a chopstick.

• Drizzle the glaze over the top & bake for another minute and set aside to cool or serve straight away.

What’s in a name?

It’s very satisfying when a customer announces they don’t like something – Chardonnay or even French wine, for example – then later leaves with a bottle of French Chardonnay! Often this follows a discussion about “terroir”, the French word used to describe every aspect of the environment in which grapes are grown. The same name does not equal the same wine...

“Terroir” literally means “land”, but in wine terms a great deal more besides. Soil is certainly vital – vines usually produce the best grapes when they struggle to survive, sending long, searching roots to find limited water and barely adequate nutrition. They grow best on loam, clay, and on sandy or volcanic soil. So the reason the vine you planted 5 years ago has never fruited is probably because you treat it too well!

Sunshine and warmth are important, though the combination is not always obvious – you can grow great Malbec high in the Andes because although there’s little warmth, there’s lots of sunshine. Vines can therefore be planted in areas of more or less sun as required. Chablis is a hill village in France that grows Chardonnay (though it’s never called Chardonnay, just Chablis). Exactly where on the hill grapes are planted determines whether they will make Petit Chablis, Chablis, Premier Cru or Grand Cru wines – the prices of which vary enormously. The parts of the hill with

the best exposure to sun, best drainage and the right soil type are the most valuable. Proximity to water is frequently a decisive factor in the quality of wine. Large bodies of water moderate temperatures around them, allowing grapes to ripen evenly over a longer time, which is a very good thing (consider sea-swimming in October – water warms slowly during summer and releases the warmth slowly when the weather cools). Moisture and humidity encourage diseases and pests – especially moulds. Yet the world’s finest dessert wines are made by encouraging botrytis cinerea, a mould that depletes the water in grapes, intensifying the flavours. This requires cool, misty mornings and warm, sunny afternoons – a great example of how tricky “terroir” can be. Of course there’s more to this, but in simple terms if the right grapes are grown in exactly the right environment, the result is perfectly ripened grapes and great wine. Naturally, few places are perfect, so the resulting wines vary! A Chardonnay grown in French limestone soil will taste very different to one grown in Chile, on volcanic soil. Other factors such as wine-making techniques (e.g. barrel ageing) are also very significant, but I’m afraid I’m out of space. The bottom line? The more wines you sample, the more you will properly understand the variety available!n Dave Anning, SW Bottle Shop

Dave Anning

Leats, tramway and moor’s edge

This walk is largely on the section of moorland traversed by the Tavistock road, keeping around 200m above sea level. It is a largely flat walk of about 6 miles. You may choose to start at either the Dartmoor Diner in the South or Yelverton in the North. Choose which half to do first; I describe it from Yelverton along Drakes Leat. There is plenty of parking and easy bus access.

S tart on the obvious path parallel to the road on the East side. Go through a neat pair of gates, continuing on the tarmac. The fi rst bits of leat you note are from the Devonport Leat, soon going along entirely on your right. This was built in the 1790s

as the town of ‘Plymouth Dock’ expanded and needed more water than Drake’s Leat could supply. The tarmac track is on the line of the Princetown Tramway. This was constructed to a 4’ 6” gauge in the 1820s, just less than modern standard gauge. It carried granite down to Sutton Harbour and goods up to Princetown.

Soon you will note Drake’s Leat below you on the left. This was built in the 1590s, but is in much better repair than the Devonport Leat since it was fully reinstated at the beginning of WWII, in case Burrator Dam was bombed.

Do note a cylindrical granite post after about half a mile. The number 13 is incised on top, recording that this point on the tramway was thirteen miles

Thirteen-mile post

Drake’s Leat above Clearbrook

Tramway granite sleepers

from Sutton Harbour. You pass two more sets of gates, with the section between them showing the granite sleepers of the tramway. Immediately after the second set, take a short uphill diversion to find the Devonport Leat emerging from a tunnel. Back on the cycle track, the tramway is on your immediate right. Another granite post has 12 incised on top. The building on your right was a stable for horses at the half way point of the tramway. Steam was never used, always horse power. The track tends downhill gently all the way, helpful as the load that way was granite. You now follow Drakes Leat for a mile, until it can no longer be followed. Note the driveway to the new Mayfl ower Water Treatment Plant. You turn at right angles to cross a short stretch of open moor, arriving opposite the Dartmoor Diner.

On the other side, angle gently towards the wood, passing an unobtrusive earthwork on the top of the rise. This was put there by Royalists during the siege of Plymouth in the 1640s. Descending along the side of the wood, you will soon go over a bridge to cross the Devonport Leat as it leaves the moor and disappears into the wood. Angle away from the wood to head for the hotel and pick up the track on the edge of the moor, then take the lane leading West past Yeoland Farm. Shortly past this, take the footpath on your right, to cut across to another lane. Turn right, and then left into the track leading across to Axtown. Note that here you are most defi nitely off the open moor, with fi elds in front and a grassy valley that leads eventually down to the Tavy. Take the lane on the right back up to open moor, the large fl at area that was Harrowbeer Aerodrome during WWII. Head straight across the road onto the Moor, and back to Yelverton. n Ron Smith

Walks such as this, walks in the middle of Dartmoor, walks in the valleys and walks on the coast – all are led by keen and knowledgeable volunteers, various lengths, various days of the week. Google Plymouth Ramblers or, for walks using public transport, contact the Dartmoor Rambling Club via Ron Smith ronaldfwsmith@gmail.com / 07780913546

Crazywell Pool

Step into a 1940s Christmas

There is no doubt that Christmas is more commercialised than ever before. Could we learn a thing or two from our parents and grandparents about enjoying the festive season without breaking the bank?

In the early 1940s, Britain was of course in the midst of World War II. From food to gifts, people had to be creative as they planned their festivities.

Encouraged to grow and rear their own food wherever possible and ‘dig on for victory’, people became accustomed to food rationing and to making do with what they had. The main Christmas meal would likely have featured a roast chicken or, for those better off, perhaps goose, lamb or pork –whatever the choice of meat, there would have been a side of home-grown vegetables from the ‘dig on’ efforts.

Dried fruit was less plentiful, so breadcrumbs and grated carrot were added to Christmas puddings and cakes as a way of bulking them out.

Rations would be saved up in the weeks leading up to Christmas in preparation for the big day, whilst some items (such as tea and sugar) were available in larger quantities at Christmas to help people celebrate the season.

foliage and homemade paper chains were both used as decorations. Even with the scarcity of paper, there were ways to make such decorations, including painting strips of old newspaper and looping them together. Pre-war decorations such as glass baubles were also used to add some festive cheer; reusing and recycling what you already had were part of daily life.

Gifts were given wrapped in brown paper, newspaper or even pieces of fabric – to use gift wrap would have been wasteful in a time when paper was scarce.

Gifts were given wrapped in brown paper, newspaper or even pieces of fabric – to use gift wrap would have been wasteful.

The blitz and the resulting blackout meant that there were no lights on the streets to add a touch of seasonal sparkle. Of course, this didn’t stop people from finding ways to brighten their homes with festive touches; winter

The gifts themselves were often homemade – knitted scarves, gloves and hats made excellent gifts and, to avoid wastage, they could even be made using wool from old clothes. An outgrown jumper could be unravelled and the wool used again; people were both skilled and savvy.

Food gifts were of course also very welcome at such a time of frugality, so homemade jams and chutneys were popular presents.

During the war years, the royal speech became a British Christmas tradition. The wireless provided entertainment, as did the singing of carols and the joy of family games. With many away fighting or supporting

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the war effort, and a great number of children spending Christmases as evacuees, those who were together for Christmas were reminded that they were fortunate to be in one another’s company. Presence was no doubt appreciated far more than presents. As we plan for Christmas 2022 amidst the pressures

In our family, we have always shared with our children that gifts from Santa equate to elf hours. If an item is expensive to buy from a shop, then you can be sure it takes a lot of elf hours to create in the workshop! There are only a certain number of elf hours to share amongst all the children in the world, so our expectations need to be reasonable. The same

of the current cost of living crisis, there is plenty we can learn from Christmases and generations gone by. A happy festive season is not measured by its monetary value. Take some time out to enjoy the simple things this season if you can. Make paper chains, design Christmas cards, attend a carol service… Try to find the time to enjoy festivities with those you love.

is true when gifting to each other; giving means thinking of another person, taking time to choose or craft something in order to spread joy. That’s a gift in itself. Your time, your care and your presence will always be the most precious presents you can give – something that remains unchanged since the Christmases of the 1940s. n Joanne Mallard

Jamie Shewbrook,

Director of Westcountry Tile and Bathroom Ltd at Christian Mill Business Park, explains how the business began and what it means to him.

When was Westcountry Tile and Bathroom Ltd established?

Having spent 20 years working with various corporate companies, I fulfilled my lifetime dream and launched my own showroom in 2013. From the outset, Westcountry Tile and Bathroom aimed to showcase quality products previously unseen in the South West. I met with various manufacturers and suppliers to secure products, and we had the arduous task of laying wall and floor coverings for 25 room settings in just 12 weeks.

How has the showroom grown?

The showroom was initially 2000 square feet, run by myself alongside my mother, Sue. As we’ve grown, we have doubled in size and taken on more staff. The showroom now holds 55 room settings across 4000 square feet, showcasing the latest products in style, design and innovation. It also includes a fully operational area with working showers, taps and lighting. We have free on-site parking for customers.

What services do you offer?

Our experienced staff are experts in bathroom consultation, design and supply and can also offer an installation service. We work with developers, installers, interior designers, architects and retail customers and offer inspiration whatever your investment level – from wet rooms and shower rooms to luxurious bathrooms and saunas, including all wall and floor coverings to help create the bathroom of your dreams!

What do you enjoy most about your role?

We have a passion for design, innovation and customer fulfilment – the ultimate aim is to meet every client’s needs, as published on our Google reviews. We relish new product training from manufacturers, giving us full confidence in our products. I’m hugely proud of our business and everything it has achieved in the last 10 years, despite challenges including the global pandemic. I am also lucky to have a great team around me, regarded not just as colleagues, but as part of the Westcountry family. n westcountrytileandbathroom.co.uk

Inspiration Consultation Design Installation

Jamie and his team

Plym Links Business Directory

In every issue of Plym Links we promote local businesses, conversely, these businesses support and enable us to continue writing and publishing your local community magazine. If you are looking for a great local business then please choose from the list below. Next to each business is the page number on which they appear in this issue, please go and look at their advert and, if you call them, mention that you found them in Plym Links.

Arts, Galleries & Museums

Tavistock Picture Framing Gallery 43

The Box 44

Wildwood Arts 45 Attractions, Days Out & Events

Butchers Hall Markets & Events 38

National Trust 37

Tamar Crossings 21

Tavistock Pannier Market 39 Auctioneers & Valuers

Drake’s Auctions 18

Bathroom & Tile Retailers

Tavistock Bathrooms & Tiles 56

Westcountry Tile and Bathroom 52 Bed Retailers

Tavistock Beds 17 Building, Construction & Maintenance

Marcus Allen Groundworks 28 Business Services

Tavistock BID 40

Carpet Retailers

Tavistock Carpets 16

Chiropodists

Derriford Therapies 34

Cleaning & Domestic Services

Majestic Cleaning 11

Dentists

Rock Dental Practice 32 Financial Advice

Bennett Wealth Planning 19

Money Advice Plymouth 7

Food & Drink

The Box Kitchen & Bar 46

Foster Care

Fusion Fostering 14

Fuel Suppliers

Tricounty Ltd 54

Garden Centres & Retailers

Endsleigh Gardens Nursery 28 Garden Services

A Palmer Services Ltd 28

Dartmoor Pond Services 28

Gardens By Ash 28

Hartland Landscaping 27

J A Francis Stone Walling & Patios 28 Men for All Seasons 28

Hair, Health, Beauty & Fitness

Lisa’s Mobile Hairdressing 35

Mustard Tree Macmillan Cancer Support 45

Ochre Hair Lounge 32

Dartmoor Skincare Company 47

KMO Beauty 35

Wine to Water Coaching 34

Wood MediSpa 36 Hearing & Mobility

Alistair Kinsey Hearing & Mobility 32 Home Improvements & Interiors

Realistic Home Improvements 15 Photographers

Georgia Gee Photography 3 Plumbing & Heating Services Chamings Heating and Plumbing 11

Why advertise your business in PLYM

Plym Links has been part of Moorsway Federation’s marketing strategy for several years now, and is a reliable, quality publication that we are pleased to be associated with. From design to print, the prompt, efficient and friendly service from the Links’ team has given peace of mind we continue to benefit from a widely circulated platform from which to share our news, via both advertisements and editorial features.

Joanna Cooper Moorsway Federation

DB Heating 4

Tailored Heat 2

Pre-Schools, Nurseries & Children

Bambinos Ltd 22

Gym Bubbas 13

Private Water Engineers

AquaTech Water Services 54

GWT Ltd 54

Residential Parks

Berkeley Parks 29 Schools, Colleges & Educators

Moorsway Federation 20

Will Writing Service

Will Writers Services 53

Window Repairs & Glazing

Amari Plastics Secondary Glazing 9 Beacon Glass & Glazing 54 Yoga Tuition Find your Fire 31

email they have been informative, helpful and welcoming. I have had a great response from advertising in Links Magazines and thoroughly enjoy the quality, varied articles and information enclosed!

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Gemma Harvey Painter & Decorator