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Not long until local elections
On Thursday, May 6 residents in South Hams will go to the polls to have their say on who represents them in the Police and Crime Commissioner, Devon County Council and some parish and town council by-elections, plus Neighbourhood Plan referendums in some areas. There are a number of ways to have your say in the elections in May - you can vote in a polling station, by post, or by appointing someone you trust to vote on your behalf, which is known as a proxy vote. Andy Bates, electoral registration officer for South Hams District Council, said: ‘It’s really important that you have your say in next year’s May elections. Every vote helps to decide the local representatives who play a crucial role on local issues which affect your everyday lives. ‘With the ongoing Covid 19 pandemic, we need to carefully consider future arrangements so you can vote safely when the time comes. There will be measures in place which adopt the hands, face and space controls. As always, you can also decide to vote by post or proxy, if you would rather not attend in person.” Ailsa Irvine, director of electoral administration and guidance at the Electoral Commission, said: ‘If you’re thinking about voting by post, you can apply now. This will make sure your application is processed early, and your postal vote can be sent to you more quickly.’ For more information visit www.southhams.gov.uk email elections@southhams.gov.uk or call ✆ 01803 861434.
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Light show raises charity cash
More than £260 was raised by the festive lights at 36 Rose Gardens, Glenholt Park last December. The light display was organised by the Up Your Alley Skittles Club (UYASC) and was officially switched on by Santa Claus. Covid restrictions meant the usual lighting up party could not take place, but hot pasties and mulled wine was handed out to those who came to see the lights. Tom Bunker of UYASC said: ‘The event is held for our skittles club and St Luke’s Hospice and the response has been very successful with donations being put into our collection bucket almost daily.’ Tom said it was difficult to plan events thanks to the ongoing pandemic, but skittles and bingo evenings would start the instant their normal venue became available and coach trips would start as soon as they could be organised safely. ‘Our Party on the Park is already in the planning with our date being 4th July, Independence Day, and nothing will stop that,’ said Tom. ‘We are considering the idea of having our annual Xmas party, which had to be abandoned for December, sometime around Easter.’
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University Hospitals Plymouth (UHP) has become the first research site in the world to successfully recruit more than 500 volunteers to ENSEMBLE 2, an international Covid-19 vaccine trial. The study, launched in November last year, seeks to recruit up to 30,000 people worldwide in order to test the safety and effectiveness of a new vaccine, which in conjunction with those already approved, aims to tackle the coronavirus pandemic. Dr Claire Bethune, consultant immunologist and principal investigator for the study, said: ‘We were taken aback by the sheer numbers of volunteers who came forward. The Plymouth community and surrounding area have been exceptionally supportive, so much so that we are the first site in the world to hit the recruitment target of 500. It’s amazing - we are incredibly grateful.’ The research team at UHP have also consented, screened and randomised more participants than any other site. Dr Gary Minto, director of research, development and innovation at UHP, added: ‘We have decided to extend our initial target and continue to recruit to this study from the large number of volunteers who have already registered their interest with us. ‘We’d like to thank the people of Plymouth for their fantastic response.’ The Dartmoor Pony Heritage Trust (DPHT) has galloped into 2021 with a fabulous new website making it easier for its valued supporters to keep up to date with and understand the charity’s crucial work in securing the future of native Dartmoor Ponies. At the core of the charity’s work is its desire to inspire and connect people with Dartmoor’s wildlife, landscape and heritage. To do this, it provides innovative education and conservation opportunities so everyone can learn more about the history of moorland ponies and their crucial role in Dartmoor’s ecology and landscape. Charity’s co-founder Dru Butterfield said: ‘Our new website makes things much easier to understand, and clearly sets out everything we do. It’s an incredibly exciting time for the DPHT, with many great ongoing projects, all with the Dartmoor Pony at their heart.’ The revamped site features an updated look that’s easy to navigate and stunning photography by the charity’s patron Malcolm Snelgrove. Opportunities to adopt ponies take centre stage on the new website, including being able to support the 26-strong herd at Bellever through the charity’s Gorse Membership. Individual ponies at the DPHT centre can be adopted for £25 per year, a perfect gift with recipients knowing they are helping to keep Dartmoor Ponies on the moors. The website at www.dpht.co.uk also features free yearround guided walks at Bellever near Postbridge, which can be exclusive to your group or join with others – as long as there are six persons or more.
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International entries for online show
The concept of online shows is not new but two Dartmoor pony lovers have achieved a remarkable success attracting some 100 entries across 14 classes from as far afield as Australia, New Zealand and America as well as Europe, for a ‘Dartmoor Extravaganza’. The show not only gave amateur and professional producers the chance to share photos of their beautiful ponies, it also raised significant funds for organisations representing the Dartmoor breed. Debbie Roberts-Jones, one of the show organisers, said: ‘I saw that Exmoor and Dales Pony Societies had embraced this idea to generate income and wondered if we were able to do something similar for Dartmoor ponies. Lisa Howarth-Podesta already had a platform for online showing with her ‘Giddy Up Online Showing’ Facebook Group and together we tested the water with a Dartmoor Only Online Show, in aid of the Dartmoor Pony Heritage Trust. We raised over £600 for them during the first Coronavirus Lockdown of Spring 2020. ‘This autumn we decided to run another Online Show and donate profits to the Dartmoor Pony Society, as shows were abandoned and any income from events completely wiped out. We expect to donate over £500 to the Dartmoor Pony Society.’ Debbie, a key worker at Morrisons who owns a Dartmoor pony plus two fell ponies, said they were keen to encourage amateur owners to take part. Living in Shropshire she was delighted to have the opportunity of a Dartmoor Pony Society judge assessing her Dartmoor pony favourably, even it was just remotely. She said: ‘Entries poured in, locally, nationally and internationally. How fantastic that a Dartmoor pony from Australia could quite literally ‘compete’ against a pony in the UK! ‘Whilst it is not ideal and nothing like the real thing, at least we seemed to achieve some of the excitement and joy that a live competition gives and it felt like we had at least got our ponies seen!’ Sue Martin, Chair of the Dartmoor Pony Society, said: ‘Twelve months ago, if you had suggested an online pony show, I would have thought that you were mad! We’re so grateful for the support and say a big thank you to Debbie and Lisa, the judges and competitors.” Debbie added: ‘The camaraderie amongst everyone involved really warmed us over this bleak time and certainly gave us a sense of achievement that we had brought Dartmoor pony enthusiasts together when we couldn’t physically be.’ Ultimately, Lynda Calcutt scooped Supreme with the one and only Shilstone Rocks North Westerly and Reserve with her homebred filly Duradens Sweet Dreams.
Shilstone Rocks North Westerly © Allan Brown
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The Rees Centre Wellbeing Hub
Helping to connect individuals with organisations, information and activities that improve wellbeing
It’s certainly not the New Year that many of us were hoping for, and the third lockdown period will undoubtedly be taking its toll. Everyone is facing their own unique circumstances right now, but we want to reassure you that there is still help on hand, and urge you not to face difficulties on your own. The Rees Centre Wellbeing Hub is located in the centre of Plympton, a short walk from the Ridgeway and close to the Plympton Health Centre. We are part of a growing network of Wellbeing Hubs across Plymouth, having opened our doors in March 2020. Each Wellbeing Hub is being led by a different organisation, each with a different specialism, but we’re all working together to support people right across the city. Plymouth’s Wellbeing Hubs have four main aims - to improve the health and wellbeing outcomes for local people; to reduce inequalities in health and wellbeing; to improve people’s experience of care and to improve the sustainability of the health and wellbeing system. The Rees Centre Wellbeing Hub is led by children’s charity Barnardo’s so our specialism is support for children and families, however, we offer a ‘cradle to grave’ service and are here for all ages and all circumstances. Also resident in the building are the Barnardo’s Children’s Centre; Homestart, who offer support for parents of carers up to 18 years of age and the Plympton Hub, a small charity for residents of
1983-2021
Inspiring people and supporting communitiesfor over 35 years Plympton offering support including for mental health and counselling. Our aim is to connect the people of Plympton and surrounding areas with organisations, information and activities that can help improve your overall wellbeing. Over the past year, this has been a little different to how we imagined it would be, with many services having to be postponed or moving online. However, our community advice service is fully operational and we are here to offer friendly, confidential and non-judgemental information and advice and to link you in with the best organisations to meet your needs. Whatever your circumstances, we can help you access a wide range of support such as: • mental health and physical health support and advocacy • opportunities to volunteer or finding things to do • employment and financial advice • guidance for long-term conditions • support for carers • befriending • signposting of local and citywide providers The centre is open Monday to Friday from 9am until 4.30pm. Please call ✆ 01752 340550 or email enquiriesrees@gmail.com and we will be in touch as soon as we can.
Kathryn Hussey Community Advisor The Rees Centre Wellbeing Hub
JOB OPPORTUNITIES - WHAT DO WE DO?
Promoting independence and recovery Challenging social exclusion by encouraging community involvement Facilitating social inclusion with creative and accessible solutions WHAT DO WE OFFER OUR EMPLOYEES?
A structured and comprehensive induction • A supportive environment Opportunities for personal development • Company pension scheme Training opportunities (Face to face training and a wide range of e-learning courses) Employee assistance programme (24 hour services for employees and their family) A generous annual leave entitlement (25 days + bank holidays, pro rata) Flexibility • Long service award • Workplace wellbeing charter Employee referral scheme (Earn £50 for referring somebody to the organisation) OUR CURRENT VACANCIES We’re currently recruiting Outreach Support Workers
Visit www.colebrooksw.org/jobs/ for further information, a full job description and application form
Could it be you?
Family for Me, a campaign specifi cally to fi nd families in the South West for children who have been waiting the longest to be adopted, is desperately searching for families for three children where other options have failed. Family for Me need to fi nd a secure and loving adoptive family for Texas-Rose, Gabriella and Kevin. Aff ectionately known as Rosie, Texas-Rose is a delightfully shy little girl aged three; Gabriella is a lively, loud and fun, warm-hearted fi ve year old and Kevin a charismatic, smart little seven year old who unfortunately returns to the campaign from earlier this year. All these children have varying additional needs both physically and intellectually and require families who are willing to support those needs, one they can call their own. Ruth Marriott, Families for Children CEO, said: ‘Children with additional needs feature highly in the numbers of children considered “harder to place”, or those children who wait the longest for a family. Some of these children have a very high level of medical need but that doesn’t mean that there are not people out there who would have the skills or the will to include them as part of a loving family. ‘Basically you need to NOT just go by a label or a diagnosis - you can’t tell what a child is like by just knowing that they have “special needs” you need to know what these needs are and how they feature in the child, and what can be done to support the child in the short, medium and long term. The Family for Me project is looking for families who can look beyond the physical medical needs of the children and see the child needing the support and love of a parent.’ Families for Children can off er support to adoptive parents to meet a child’s individual needs. They work closely with Local Authorities and health professionals to help assess the social, emotional and physical needs of each child, ensuring that their families are aware of their entitlements and services available to them to meet their child’s needs. Families for Children provide ongoing guidance throughout the adoption process and beyond with comprehensive adoption support services right up into adulthood. If anyone would like to discuss the possibility of being considered as adoptive parents for Texas-Rose, Gabriella or Kevin or if you are interested in adoption and wish to fi nd out more please call ✆ 01364 400064 or go to www.familyforme.co.uk
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The distribution and numbers of birds in the UK are changing dramatically with many species experiencing worrying declines, according to a new report. The State of the UK’s Birds 2020 (SUKB) -has highlighted the threats aff ecting some of our most iconic English species. Turtle doves and grey partridges, nightingales and cuckoos, long thought of as the traditional sounds of spring, are all struggling to breed and thrive in our English countryside. The report shows that some of the species faring the worst are birds that specialise on particular habitats, like particular types of woodland or farmland. In 1970, there were 100 turtle doves for every two found in England today; a staggering 98% population reduction. These once-widespread farmland birds are now restricted to parts of southern and eastern England, with conservation partnerships like Operation Turtle Dove racing to restore habitat in key breeding areas. Willow tits, a woodland specialist species, show the second biggest decline of any common and widespread English bird, with the population falling by 94% since 1970. Recently featured on BBC’s
Turtle Dove these small, shy birds suff er from habitat fragmentation and lack of suitable nesting sites. The report does contain better news for some species. In England, stone curlews, cirl buntings and roseate terns are responding well to targeted conservation work. Climate change is predicted to impact UK bird populations in several ways and, for example, is behind the increases in numbers of Cetti’s warblers. Yet sea level rise and increasing spring storm surges now add to the threats already faced by beach nesting birds like little terns and ringed plovers. Despite the survey’s fi ndings, the huge positive impact that volunteers have made through monitoring, surveying and protecting nesting species cannot be ignored. Their time has helped identify declines and enabled quick conservation action to be taken for some species in trouble. Covid-19 had an unavoidable impact on many monitoring projects but also inspired new generations of wildlife lovers to fi nd solace in nature during lockdown. Emma Marsh, director, RSPB England, said: ‘While the data seems daunting, there is still hope for reversing the fortunes of our threatened species. By working together; conservation organisations, partners and communities, supported by government investment in better land management, can really can make a diff erence. Covid-19 has really bought home how much we rely on nature to lift our spirits and inspire hope. We hope even more people have now been inspired to play a vital part in donating time, resources and funding to help save our most threatened species and habitats.’
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Communities invited to ‘take control’
In England the average house price in 2019 was £240,000 and average earnings were £30,667. However, in Devon the picture is very diff erent. The average house price was £253,000 (5% higher) and average earnings were £26,234 (15% lower) making it much harder for the average person to aff ord their own home here in Devon.* The Diverse Regeneration Company (a not-for-profi t CIC) has successfully worked with communities over the past 15 years to help meet the local need for new sports facilities, village halls, playgrounds and more. They are now working with Resonance, a social impact investment company, to continue this work with the launch of a new community asset fund which will put local people at the heart of the decision making process about what their communities need most. The new fund is called Resonance Community Developers (RCD) and its purpose is to help communities design and deliver the assets that they need; bringing local stakeholders together to address local infrastructure needs such as aff ordable housing, sports and leisure facilities or renewable energy generation. Although this is a new fund with a slightly diff erent set of parameters, Resonance has previously worked with community groups in Devon to successfully deliver aff ordable homes – in Holsworthy and Broadhempston– through their Aff ordable Homes Rental Fund (AHRF). RCD is a new, follow-on initiative to AHRF, which invests capital into community groups that will be structured as ‘Community Benefi t Societies’ that can issue community shares. It aims to invest multiple times in the same community groups, with small incremental investment in the early stages leading to larger investments as groups secure land and planning consent and commence the actual construction of homes, sports facilities, or renewable energy. The Diverse Regeneration Company (The DR Company) are experts at working with communities across Devon, from the fi rst initial project ideas through to turning those ideas into reality. The DR Company are now encouraging communities to get in touch even if they’re unsure where to start. Liz Abell at The DR Company said: ‘This is a very exciting opportunity for our local Devon communities to be a part of, allowing them a real say in the type of project they would like for their area. This is also a valuable means of independent funding, during a time when council budgets are greatly stretched. As such we are really keen to hear from anyone (or groups) with ideas they have for their community, either great or small, so we can assess the ideas and help them move forward to a successful outcome.’ Contact The DR Company at community@drcompany. co.uk or go to www.drcompany.co.uk
Forest School learning
A unique way to educate!
Shaugh Prior Primary School is a small rural village school located on the edge of Dartmoor, just a few miles from the outskirts of Plymouth. The school serves the village of Shaugh Prior, Wotter and Lee Moor and the outlying areas. We enjoy Forest School sessions every Tuesday afternoon in our amazing grounds that overlook the moors and the surrounding areas. I’m often asked… What is Forest School? In one simple sentence it is a unique educational experience using the outdoor environment of the forest as a classroom. Explaining it a little further, it is a child-centred inspirational learning process, that off ers opportunities for holistic growth through regular sessions. It develops confi dence and self-esteem through a learning hands-on experience in a natural setting. Contact with the outdoors can be limited for many children in our modern society and the vital experience of using the outdoors and being comfortable in nature is being lost. Education outside can motivate pupils and bring learning to life. I remember being outside when I was young (many years ago!) until it became dark, making dens, climbing trees and I can still smell the vibrant red paint that I used to paint my treehouse with! Memories were certainly made, but growing up today is a lot diff erent than it was 20 years ago.
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Today, technology helps many children keep in touch with their friends and family, but the constant ability for children to need to communicate with others via texting or social media comes with some risks. The benefi t that children are always connected and always reachable is certainly something that wasn’t necessarily the case ‘back in the day’. So what do our children at Shaugh Prior Primary gain from Forest School? The social skills that they gain are immense. They learn to understand and gain awareness of the consequences Moorsway Federation Moorsway Federation of their actions with their peers, through team activities such as sharing tools, waiting their turn and participating in each other’s play. There is nothing more rewarding than watching a particularly quiet child in the classroom come alive outside - they have the freedom, time understand the safety that is required to use the tools independently and you can certainly see an improvement with their fi ne motor skills, such as their handwriting. When the Autumn arrives it is a great opportunity Where learning is Where learning is and space to learn and demonstrate independence. All children will develop an interest in the natural to create some wonderful collages with the diff erent coloured leaves. Explaining the process of why the leaves an adventure!an adventure! surroundings and learn to respect the environment. What a life skill to learn! change colour is a truly magical experience. Of course any Forest School session wouldn’t be complete without a Over the last few months we have certainly been very campfi re and something to toast over it! busy at Shaugh Prior Primary School. Each session So please enjoy the outside area that surrounds us. Time starts with a warm-up game, that will involve listening in green spaces signifi cantly reduces stress and anxiety. to the instructions, taking turns and being able to show Nature also boosts endorphin levels and dopamine resilience when things don’t always work out their way! production which promotes happiness. Who doesn’t need Sometimes these games are as simple as which team can a little bit of that at the minute? make the tallest stick tower. The children are fantastic Go for walks, take in the scenery, fi nd some sticks, count problem solvers and will come up with some amazing them, measure them. Kick up the leaves and fi nd a big ideas. We then create a learning opportunity and we muddy puddle! Mud is good for you . . . scientifi cally discuss a topic of the children’s choice - it may be birds, proven. When you are playing in the mud, you are bugs, leaves or trees. With the children taking the lead using all of your senses, so playing in the mud results we continue our afternoon. We have learnt about bugs in a highly stimulated and active brain! Just like all our and insects, for instance, did you know insects do not wonderful children at Shaugh Prior Primary! n breathe through their mouths, they inhale oxygen and Mrs Williams – Forest School Leader exhale carbon dioxide via holes called spiracles in their exoskeletons. Please visit: We have studied many insects, made a wormery, been pond dipping in our school pond, and made all sorts of www.moorswayfederation.org.uk/topic/shaugh-prior-primary-school or fi nd Shaugh Prior Primary School on Facebook. diff erent bug hotels using our hand tools. The children
Moorsway Federation Shaugh Prior Primary School Shaugh Prior Primary School Moorsway Federation Where learning is an adventure! The Erme Primary School Cornwood C of E Primary School The Erme Primary School Cornwood C of E Primary School Where learning is • Small class sizes • A broad and balanced curriculum an adventure!• Experienced teams of dedicated staff • Weekly Forest School programme • Each child is valued and known to all the staff Shaugh Prior Primary School Shaugh Prior Primary School The Erme Primary School 01752 839373 shaughprior @moorsway.devon.sch.uk The Erme Primary School 01752 839373 shaughprior @moorsway.devon.sch.uk Cornwood C of E Primary School 01752 892247 theerme @moorsway.devon.sch.uk Cornwood C of E Primary School 01752 892247 theerme @moorsway.devon.sch.uk 01752 837375 cornwood @moorsway.devon.sch.uk 01752 837375 cornwood @moorsway.devon.sch.uk • Residential opportunities in years 4, 5 & 6 • Outdoor adventurous activity opportunities ll Please contact us to arrange a visit with our Head Teacher, Mr Hall, or Assistant Head,
Mrs Baker, where we can share in your child’s journey
A natural treasure trove!
There’s so much to discover in the woodland estate
On the Devon bank of the Tamar, south from Horsebridge to the parish boundary of Bere Ferrers and upriver on the Tavy as far as Shillamill, on the Crowndale road, the landscape is dominated by the trees of the Tavistock Woodland Estate. It is part of the Tamar Valley AONB and includes many artefacts that belong to our industrial past, a key part of the World Heritage Site. Visitor attractions at the Tamar Trails Centre and Morwellham Quay are surrounded by the Estate, a commercial woodland owned by the Earl of Bradford. I fi rst explored the Woodlands exactly 50 years ago when I began my career teaching science locally. It was truly private in those days, but access was allowed to interested individuals - I still have my typewritten permit! A ground-breaking system of arboriculture had been developed after the Second World War, the BradfordHutt plan, which avoided clear-felling whole hillsides, replacing it with selective use of individual tress in rotation and allowed native hardwood trees to become established. Loss of the soil and the life within when forests are cleared is now a major concern worldwide! Mixed woodlands of this kind, rather than the dark serried ranks of many commercial conifer plantations, provide a wider variety of habitats for wildlife and a far more interesting environment for human visitors too. These are the places where our larger mammals hide away during daylight hours, so early mornings and the evenings are when they are most often sighted. Roe and fallow deer are commonly seen, while red deer pass through while travelling between resident herds in other parts of Devon and Cornwall. The woodland badgers were commonly seen until recently, crossing roads at night time, or sadly as roadkill victims. I assume the government’s culling programme has probably been responsible for the current absence of these sightings! Smaller mammals and birds are well catered for, especially where a dense undergrowth has been allowed to develop. Rodents remain hidden from view, leaving
