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Rotary Club of Roborough

Plymouth Hoe

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We’re very much missing our twice monthly lunches at the moment, with their opportunity to catch up with friends, do a little networking for those still employed or in business and to discuss options to improve life in the local community or raise funds for local and international charities. Instead we meet online and plan events we can still stage or take part in within coronavirus restrictions, as well as those we expect to run when we return to normal. At this time of the year we would normally be arranging December visits by Father Christmas and taking Rudolph and the sleigh to the supermarkets to raise funds for our favourite charities. Sadly it’s looking as though that won’t be possible this year, so we are concentrating instead on outdoor and online events to allow the club to support the community and perhaps bring some cheer to residents in the north of the city. We are still actively recruiting members, so if you would like to help work for the local community or expand your social or networking circles why not think about your local club? Go to www.roborough-rotary.org.uk or on social media, where you will see the kind of things we do to help others and have fun doing it! The photo shows some of our members on Roborough roundabout where we planted crocuses just before the pandemic started, but there are plenty more online to give you a taste for what we do. Have a look, you may wish you’d found us earlier! David Carver-Trotter

Plymouth’s world famous Hoe is getting some TLC to make the city’s most important spot look even better. A series of small projects that will make a big difference have been starting as part of the city’s Mayflower preparedness programme. The first is a dull but necessary resurfacing of the main path, with pothole and edging repairs across other key areas. But then it gets much more exciting. Banks of stunning wildflowers are planned on the edges of the Hoe as well as the verges along Hoe Road. A small number of apple trees could be planted and the dead QE2 memorial tree replaced with a Mayflower apple tree and mix of five others to form small community orchard. Other plans include the redesign of the garden next to the café, a landscaping project in West Hoe Park and an updated Welcome to Plymouth sign. The Peace Garden has already had some new planting and wooden benches have been repaired, thanks to the efforts of the Shekinah Mission’s painting and maintenance team. The team is working with Plymouth City Council offering on-the-job training, personal development and work experience to help support people into employment. Shekinah have also been involved in painting over 250 metres of railings below the Hoe and along the waterfront. Deputy council leader Peter Smith said: ‘Plymouth loves the Hoe. It’s so popular that some of it is a bit tired from overuse, so we’re doing some fixing and mixing in some lovely ideas to make it even more special. It’s also great to see this project provide hands-on experience for people looking to get back into work.’ Diane Mansell, CEO of Plymouth Waterfront Partnership, said: ‘I know how important the Hoe and the waterfront are to all the businesses in our BID area which is why we have contributed £10,000 towards the work being undertaken. We are happy to support these projects and they are a lovely mix of maintenance work and improving the natural environment projects.” The council has also been working closely with the Hoe Neighbourhood Forum, residents as well as vendors and leaseholders on the project.

Tavistock Heritage Trust has been awarded a £14,750 grant by Historic England to develop a major educational project around the story of Sir Francis Drake. Working in partnership with Tavistock Town Council, Tavistock Rotary Club, Tavistock College and Mount Kelly School, THT is developing a school’s learning programme that will cover all the many aspects of Drake’s history including his circumnavigation of the Globe and his role in defeating the Spanish Armada alongside his privateering voyages and his involvement in the early slave trade. It will also look at the lives of people from black and ethnic minority groups who lived in England as freemen and women between the 16th and 19th centuries, how the slave trade evolved, and how slavery still exists today via human trafficking and exploitation. The programme was trialled in the two local schools during Black History Month in October, before being released as an online learning package for both schools and adult learning via the new Guildhall website, also promoted to local schools via the network of Rotary Clubs across Great Britain and Ireland. Dr Geri Parlby, THT chair, said: ‘We are delighted Historic England has agreed to fund this nationally significant project. The subjects covered evolved out of a survey run at the college amongst the pupils following the killing of George Floyd and the global protests it provoked.’ David Tout, Tavistock Rotary President, said:

‘Rotary International has been involved in raising awareness of the issues surrounding modern slavery for several years and education is also a key aspect of our community work.’ The Historic England funding also covers the creation of an interpretation panel on the story of Drake, which will sit opposite the statue on Plymouth Road. This part of the project is being developed in collaboration with Tavistock Town Council working with councillors, local historians, and community groups. Nick Read, assistant principal of Tavistock College, welcomed the opportunity to be involved in the implementation and development of the Drake Schools Project. He said: ‘The project will help us to educate the students around the story of Sir Francis Drake and to develop our understanding of how past events should inform our current and future behaviours and attitudes.’ Guy Ayling, Mount Kelly headmaster, said: ‘This is a significant initiative and a meaningful response to pressing issues in society; Mount Kelly is committed to the success of the project.’ The lessons are being developed in a way that will enable schools in other areas across the country to focus their students’ attention on their own local heroes and commemorative statues, using them as a means of addressing wider issues of diversity by bringing a greater awareness of BAME voices and contributions into the classroom across all ages, stages and subjects.

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Health on the High Street?

Shoppers as well as residents living in and near the city centre will be able to drop in to a new centre for health advice as part of an exciting project to bring ‘health to the High Street’. Proposals are being worked up by the Plymouth City Council for a new, purpose-built health centre on the site of two demolished buildings on the corner of Market Avenue and New George Street, which back onto Colin Campbell Court. It could include a new GP surgery, a dentists’ surgery, a sexual health clinic and mental health support and a pharmacy - all under one roof. Mark Lowry, cabinet member for finance, said: ‘There are over 12,000 people on the waiting list for dentists. We want to help our residents get healthy, and want to make it as easy for them as possible to access medical or dental support. We are bringing health to the High Street.’ The council has been in discussion with health organisations and has agreed to authorise £1,500,000 to develop the project further and to take it through the design development stage. The total cost of the project could be in the region of nearly £14 million. Cllr Lowry said: ‘The location we’re looking at is incredibly convenient. It’s near bus stops and is right in the heart of the city centre. ‘This project is about this council looking at a huge difficult problem for its residents and working with partners to come up with an answer. This also ties in neatly with our economic recovery programme Resurgam - rebuilding our city better and more equal, creating opportunities for jobs as well as helping our residents.’ Cllr Kate Taylor, cabinet member for health and social care, said: ‘We know that the health of our residents is generally not as good as the rest of England and within Plymouth, people live, on average, eight years longer in our better-off wards than they do in the poorer ones. That’s a shocking statistic. ‘We are particularly keen to see more dental facilities at this location. We all know about the difficulties families face trying to find an NHS dentist. ‘We are taking proactive measures to provide the site, the building and the can-do attitude and are making a concerted effort to ease pressure on our hard-pressed hospital and health staff by preventing ill health in the first place within our communities.’

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Green home improvement scheme A successful bid for Department for Business, Energy mains gas supply and rely on alternative, less efficient and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) funds, through the Green sources of heating such as oil and solid fuel, would Homes Grant Scheme, means South Hams District benefit from these improvements early next year. Council has secured over £330,000 to help improve The district council’s Leader, Cllr Judy Pearce, said: older homes’ energy efficiency. ‘I’m delighted that we have been able to secure crucial The council is now proposing to commit a further funds to improve energy efficiency in homes, and to £200,000 specifically targeted at low-income families support some of our most vulnerable households while living in fuel poverty and to underline its commitment underlining our commitment to the climate change and to do it all can to tackle the global climate change and biodiversity emergency. biodiversity challenges. ‘This is an important step in reducing the district’s carbon The Green Homes Grant project will focus on the footprint in homes which don’t currently benefit from installation of external wall insulation and air source efficient insulation or use inefficient methods of heating.’ heat pumps for eligible households. To find out more about the Green Homes Project and This scheme would mean properties, which are not on to see if you are eligible, email: eco@swdevon.gov.uk

Test and trace support

For people facing hardship because they have been contacted by NHS Track and Trace and are required to self-isolate for 14 days, the Government has launched a grant to support scheme. Cllr Jonathan Hawkins, South Hams District Council’s executive member for health and wellbeing, said: ‘There is a challenge ahead of us all, we must help to control the COVID virus and stop it spreading. This payment will enable those people who would otherwise not be able to afford to self-isolate, protect others and play their part.’ You can apply for the Test and Trace Support Payment of £500, if you meet the following criteria: • You are over 16 and have been told to self-isolate by NHS Test and Trace on or after 28 September 2020. • You are employed or self-employed. • You cannot work from home and will lose income as a result. • You are currently receiving at least one of the following benefits: • Universal Credit, • Working Tax Credit, • Income-based Employment and Support Allowance, • Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance, • Income Support, • Housing Benefit and/or • Pension Credit. If you fail to comply with the Test and Trace isolation rules you could face a fine. If you are facing financial hardship, please contact the council who may be able to help. You can find out more information at: www.southhams.gov.uk/test-and-trace-payments

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Hospice care during Covid

Social isolation is not new to families caring for children with life-limiting conditions. Many are used to long hospital stays far from home, long periods of illness preventing normal daily activities, being unable to attend school due to health needs, and sacrificing social interactions due to care needs. But the Covid restrictions have brought many new and often terrifying challenges to these families, many of whom have seen care packages fall away and their wider support networks disappear. Children’s Hospice South West (CHSW), which looks after 500 families around the South West, had to adapt its care model to continue providing the lifeline support it has offered since 1995. Because of the significant risks and the vulnerability of children, routine respite stays at the three hospices have been cancelled. But the hospices remain open for emergency and end-of-life care and the charity has developed a ‘hospice, home and virtual’ model to be able to continue caring for fami-lies wherever they are and whenever they need it most. Alli Ryder, CHSW’s director of care, said: ‘For the first time ever, we have started working in the community, which has been an amazing transformation in our services. ‘We have supported children in their homes providing night shifts when care packages in the commu-nity have fallen apart, enabling families to step in and care for their children in the morning. ‘We have also been providing care for community children’s nurses, cover over weekends and eve-nings, replacing nasogastric tubes for example.’ In one six week period, the charity, funded almost entirely by voluntary contributions, supported 102 bed nights at its hospices, carried out 335 community visits, and made 7,654 virtual contacts with families. ‘That is an amazing achievement for us to deliver,’ added Alli. CHSW needs around £11m a year to run its three hospices and around 85 per cent is raised through voluntary donations. As a result of the lockdown, the charity had to cancel or postpone many fundrais-ing events planned for the year. It also had to close its 35 South West charity shops for a time. To find out more about how you can support the charity, visit www.chsw.org.uk

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A new boost for businesses

An exciting new project has been launched in Tavistock, just in time for Christmas. The Tavistock Gift Card aims to provide a much-needed boost to the town’s businesses in this period of uncertainty and beyond, encouraging more people to shop locally and support the high street. The Tavistock Gift Card works in the same way as other pre-pay gift cards – preload it with your chosen amount and it is ready to use at a wide-range of businesses throughout the town. Recipients can spend it in any participating business - whether you want to use it for a facial or sausages, the choice will be yours! Why buy it? It takes the decision out of gifting and is a great idea for any occasion. It is easy to use and supports Tavistock’s businesses. Discover the best of Tavistock in one gift card and experience Tavistock however you decide. The scheme has been spearheaded by Tavistock BID (Business Improvement District). BID Manager Janna Sanders is hopeful it will make a meaningful difference to the town. She said: ‘It is a fantastic initiative for the town and comes at a time when ongoing support for businesses is crucial. ‘We know gift cards are a popular choice for Christmas so we really hope people will consider the Tavistock Gift Card this year for friends, colleagues and loved ones. We are thankful to West Devon Borough Council and Mount Kelly for helping us get this project off the ground.’ To purchase a card, you can go online: www. tavistockgiftcard.co.uk or pick one up from Lawsons Tavistock. For further information on how it all works, go to: www.visit-tavistock.co.uk/giftcard Christmas is not cancelled in Tavistock and the town is ablaze with beautiful lights, including a new display in the churchyard. Dickensian Evening is sadly cancelled, but there will be plenty of other opportunities to celebrate the Christmas season safely this year. Working with St Eustachius’ Church, there is an alternative Christmas Tree Festival taking place which sees some wonderfully decorated trees being displayed in businesses throughout the town. There will also be Christmas markets to enjoy. Then come January, it will be time to redeem the gift card you received under the Christmas tree. Please enjoy a trip out and support the businesses of Tavistock!

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NEW LOOK PLAY AREA The play area in Plymouth city centre is to have a new look in an attempt to prove attractive to local families and visitors alike. New images show the play area which will be created in front of the House of Fraser and Debenhams buildings for children and parents to play and relax. The area has been designed to reflect the natural environment in and around Plymouth, but with fun in mind. Boulders formed on Bodmin Moor will be piled up for children to climb over, along with two slides and a rubber crumb surface to help with safer landings. There’s a curved seat for parents to enjoy watching children at play and a small performance space is also planned. Cllr Mark Lowry, cabinet member for finance and city centre champion, said: ‘We want families to enjoy coming to the city centre. We’re refreshing its look to keep people coming back time and time again. ‘The new play area is about creating something children can clamber over, to use their imagination on and to be strong enough to withstand whatever the weather and being in a city centre throws at it. ‘We are constantly investing in the city centre and want it to continually attract thousands of shoppers from across

Devon and Cornwall as well as local people.’ The transformation is a collaboration between British Land (who own Drake Circus and the block which houses House of Fraser and Debenhams) and Plymouth City Council. British Land has permission to create a number of smaller retail pavilions within this space to entice smaller brands. Plymouth City Council has agreed to fund to the public realm improvements and is keen to ensure the area looks as attractive as possible. New trees and planting is being planned with the old raised planters taken out and replaced with a series of ‘islands’. Some trees will be going but in their place, 27 large new trees including Scots pine, silver birch, pin oak, wild cherry and lime will be planted in deep tree pits connected to a new separate surface water system, which means they will be better irrigated using rain and flood water. The planting will include native species such as primrose, cowslip, Lady fern, Scalymale fern and Broad Buckler fern, woodrush and campions to create a woodland edge in the heart of the city. It will include many flowering species that will provide a vital supply of nectar for pollinators such as bees.

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Charity looking to the future

More electric vehicle charge points are set to appear on the streets of Plymouth thanks to new funding. The council has been successful in obtaining £225,000 through the Office for Low Emissions Vehicles’ on-street electric vehicle charging grant. The money will mean that 50 new, on-street electric vehicle charge points will be rolled out to help residents with the transition to cleaner, greener transport. The charge points will be installed next year and while exact locations have yet to be decided, it is intended that Hearts Together is a Plymouth-based charity providing accommodation and support for patients, carers, relatives and healthcare professionals at our Hospital Hotel. These past few months have been very different for us all, but we are looking ahead to the future and a time when we are able to (safely) ask our volunteers to support us once more. We hope spring 2021 will bring with it the opportunity to launch a gardening project in the grounds of our Hospital Hotel and we are looking for willing volunteers to help us to create a beautiful and relaxing space for our guests. We are also fundraising for a minibus to provide transport for guests to and from the hospital and local amenities; we are looking for volunteer drivers so that when we reach our fundraising target, we are able to get this service up and running. If you are interested in either role or would like to find out more about who we are and what we do, please email info@heartstogether.org.uk or call 01752 315 900.

Electric charge points

Hearts Together, Plymouth they are installed on streets which are predominantly used by residents, rather than in public car parks. This allows the nearly 40 per cent of Plymouth households who do not have access to off-street parking to access charging infrastructure. Cllr Mark Coker, cabinet member for strategic planning and infrastructure, said: ‘We know not everyone has an electric vehicle and we know that not everyone can afford one, either. ‘But we know that electric vehicles are the future. We have to make it as easy as possible for people to transition if we’re going to take the climate emergency seriously.’ Nearly 30 percent of Plymouth’s carbon emissions come from transport and the electrification of vehicles has been identified as a key means to tackling this problem. In a recent survey 85 per cent of residents felt that the council needed to provide more charging points.

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