Plym Links Magazine February/March 2020

WALKS | ARTS | EVENTS | PEOPLE | HERITAGE | LOCAL FOOD & DRINK | HOMES | BUSINESS

PLYM LINKS February/March 2020 | Issue 4

124

SPRING EVENTS

Open Gardens Men’s Day Out An Italian Experience and lots more...

Meet the locals

A councillor from Woolwell A Glenholt community champion Sparkwell’s parish chairman

GARDENING

Helping combat climate crisis

The dangers of

DIABETES

Reducing your risks

Brighter future for our

HONEY BEES

Don’t miss Gilbert and Sullivan’s

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FROM THE EDITOR

Solar benefits and community champions

the Plymouth area so much more positive thanks to its sterling work since its inception in 1983. See what the charity has achieved and how you can support it on page 30.

One of the best things about editing Plym Links is meeting inspirational and interesting characters - and our local people for this issue were no exception. Barrie Spencer, a district councillor for Cornwood and Sparkwell, Denise Mills, a real community champion in the Glenholt area and Robin Page, who’s involved in many of the parish organisations in Sparkwell, were delightful to chat to and all of them work incredibly hard for the good of their individual areas.

The lucky winner of our Cinderella competition in the December/January edition was Mandy Kingwell, who enjoyed a great night at the panto with her family.

As spring approaches there will be lots going on locally - please do send me your forthcoming events for our What’s On pages - editorial is published free of charge!

W

The deadline date for any inclusions in the April/May issue of Plym Links will be 28 February 2020.

For all editorial enquiries please contact me via email at: jane.honey@linksmagazines.co.uk or by phone 07971 917071.

THE LINKS TEAM: Publisher: Tim Randell Editor: Jane Honey Design: Julian Rees Advertising Copy: Rachel Rees Advertising: Jane Daniel, Olivia Breyley, Joanne Mallard Claire Pearce ON THE COVER:

The Barbican © Rozanne Bell - see Tavistock Picture Framing Gallery on page 47

elcome to the February/March edition of Plym Links! This issue is a tricky one to produce as it straddles Christmas and the New Year - while I am writing in the post-festive period of new diet regime and get fit resolutions, you will be reading as spring (hopefully!) is really beginning to feel like it’s on its way.

Our feature this time puts the spotlight on the Newnham Solar Fund. The array of solar panels on the Newnham Estate isn’t only generating enough power for 3,500 homes - it’s also providing funds for community projects in the parishes of Shaugh Prior and Sparkwell. Could it help you? Read about this green initiative on page 18.

Our health feature from Dr Annabelle Mascott is an apt one for the postChristmas, pre-Easter time, focussing as it does on diabetes - a condition that is now affecting a worryingly large proportion of the population and at a younger age too.

Read about the illness and what you can do to prevent Type 2 diabetes on page 27.

And health is also a big part of our charity focus. Plymouth and District Leukaemia Fund has made the lives of sufferers in

Happy reading!

Jane Jane Honey Editor

Contents | February/March 2020 4 Nature 6 Noticeboard 14 Local People 18 Newnham Solar Fund 20 Gardening 24 Education 27 Health 30 Charity Focus

32 What’s On Listings 38 What’s On Extra 44 Music and Art 50 Food and Drink 52 Walk 54 History 56 Technical Help 58 Trade Secrets

Delivered by the Royal Mail to the following towns and villages: Roborough, Woolwell, Widewell, Shaugh Prior, Bickleigh, Wotter, Sparkwell, Glenholt, Derriford, Derriford Hospital, The Plymouth Science Park and selected outlets.

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01822 615627

18

24 52

15 WALKS | ARTS | EVENTS | PEOPLE | HERITAGE | LOCAL FOOD & DRINK | HOMES | BUSINESS

February/March 2020 | Issue 4

124

SPRING EVENTS

Open Gardens Men’s Day Out An Italian Experience and lots more...

WALKS | ARTS | EVENTS | PEOPLE | HERITAGE | LOCAL FOOD & DRINK | HOMES | BUSINESS

February/March 2020 | Issue 41

Meet the locals

A councillor from Woolwell A Glenholt community champion Sparkwell’s parish chairman

GARDENING

Helping combat climate crisis

IMAGINATION & ENTERPRISE

KEEP BUSY

THIS WINTER

WE MEET CREATIVE WRITER MYFANWY COOK, THREAD-PAINTER VICTORIA ROSE RICHARDS & ADVENTURER CLAIRE LEMASURIER

MOOR

TAVY OKE PLYM

February/March 2020 | Issue 44

January/February 2020 | Issue 19

ENJOY

124

WIN!

KEEP BUSY THIS WINTER

A DAY AT THE SCULPTURE SCHOOL

EVENTS & ACTIVITIES

Meet the locals:

A Dartmoor farmer An award-winning artist from Bridestowe An Okehampton birdlover

² @plymlinks

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WALKS | ARTS | EVENTS | PEOPLE | HERITAGE | LOCAL FOOD & DRINK | HOMES | BUSINESS

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EVENTS & ACTIVITIES

CREATIVES AT WORK ALLI EYNON, ARTIST AND FILM COSTUME FABRICATOR & XUELLA ARNOLD, JEWELLERY DESIGNER & MAKER

INSIDE:

The dangers of

DIABETES

HONEY BEES

Don’t miss Gilbert and Sullivan’s

The Pirates of Penzance Delivered FREE by your postman to PL6 - 7 and PL7 - 5. Guaranteed Circulation of 7,000 homes

£3.50 | WHERE SOLD

See our community website www.dartmoorlinks.co.uk

The benefits of art in hospital Fatcalf Media and the secret of a good film Seth Lakeman’s new album for Mayflower 400

GARDENING

FOOD

Brentor pop-up café

WIN!

TICKETS FOR CRAFTS4CRAFTERS SHOW

Delivered free by your postman to all PL19 0, 8 & 9 postcodes, guaranteed circulation of more than 9000 homes and businesses

Ways to reduce climate change

FAMILY PANTOS WORKSHOPS GALORE EXPLORING WINTER GARDENS

A PASSION FOR POOCHES THE RESCUE CENTRE THAT PUTS DOGS FIRST

In this Issue:

Reducing your risks

Brighter future for our

£3.50 | where sold

CHARITY

The Devon Guild of Craftsmen

Delivered free by your postman to EX20 1,2 & 4 and TQ13 8, postcodes. Guaranteed circulation of 10,233 homes and businesses

EDUCATION

Spotlight on Post-16

HISTORY

Arcade battle that split Okehampton

In this Issue:

The benefits of art in hospital Fatcalf Media and the secret of a good film Seth Lakeman’s new album for Mayflower 400

£3.50 | where sold

CHARITY

British Hen Welfare Trust

DELIVERED FREE BY YOUR POSTMAN TO ALL PL20 6 & PL20 7 POSTCODES Guaranteed circulation of more than 6000 homes and businesses

GARDENING

Ways to reduce climate change

MUSIC & ART

Wildwood Arts: ‘Artists for All Seasons’

£3.50 | where sold

CHARITY

The Devon Guild of Craftsmen

3

A brighter future for

native honey bees An exciting field trial involving our native honey bee is underway at Widecombe-in-the-Moor, in a project involving a number of Dartmoor farmers, the Mount Edgcumbe Cornish Bee Group and the Buckfast Abbey Bee Department.

D

artmoor may not appear an ideal bee environment, but despite this, it has a long association with bee keeping, reflected in local place names, bee boles and the work of Brother Adam from Buckfast Abbey.

Our native honey bee became less popular at the beginning of the 20th century following an outbreak of disease associated with the Isle of Wight. Inspired by the need to develop the perfect bee, Brother Adam travelled over 100,000 miles collecting breeding stock which was then used to create the Buckfast Bee. This super bee was intended to combine the hardiness of the native honey bee with the diseaseresistance and productivity of its Italian cousin. Brother Adam used an isolation unit near Hexworthy for his cross breeding and the fruits of his labour have been distributed on a global scale.

Times however change, and the impact of disease and climate have seen a renewed interest in the native honey bee led by The Bee Improvement and Bee Breeders’ Association (BIBBA). This group claims that the native honey bee could hold the key to reversing the dramatic decline in honeybee colonies in Britain; they are much 4

darker and have evolved thicker, longer hair than their goldencoloured, southern European cousins, which keeps them warmer in cooler climates, making them less susceptible to the changeable British weather and other factors such as disease, habitat change and intensive

Adam travelled “ Brother over 100,000 miles collecting breeding stock which were then used to create the Buckfast Bee

”

agriculture, which have also contributed to their decline. BIBBA argues that pure-race native bees are better suited to our climate than their European counterparts and are therefore desirable for biodiversity.

BIBBA carried out an extensive survey, funded by the Co-operative Group, and identified areas with bees that displayed indigenous traits. In 1997 it began a project to conserve our native honey bee and yet of the 250,000 hives across the UK today, less than one percent are still likely to house them. One area of the country which retains an above average number of native honey bees is the Rame Peninsula in South East Cornwall, where England’s first Native Honey Bee Reserve was opened in 2017 at Mount Edgcumbe Country Park. The venture aims to educate the public about the importance of pollinators, with a special focus on local Cornish honey bees.

The Dartmoor Hill Farm Project has been running bee keeping courses with the Buckfast Abbey Bee Department since 2018 and they have proved popular with local farmers.

A group of farmers became interested in which bees would adapt to the local environment, in a similar way to their own upland livestock.

This led them to visit the Mount Edgcumbe apiary, where John Dracup of Broadaford Farm said that the farmers were struck by the hardiness and temperament of the native honey bees, which made them ideally suited for life in an upland environment such as Broadaford.

Clare Densely from the Buckfast Abbey Bee Department delivered the training for the farmers and she is now involved in monitoring the new bee colonies in Widecombein-the-Moor to determine how well they perform in such an exposed environment and which areas of the farm and moorland they forage on during different periods of the year.

The farmers are particularly keen to understand which flowers and habitats are preferred and whether any ways of enhancing grassland or cropping areas, might benefit the bees and other pollinators.

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NATURALIST

Get involved: If you are interested in joining a bee-keeping class contact Dartmoor Hill Farm Project on ✆ 01822 890913 or email hfp@dartmoor.gov.uk

See our community website www.dartmoorlinks.co.uk

5

Could you help a vital service?

Ivybridge Ring & Ride runs two services which are available to all persons who cannot readily access their own or public transport. This could be due to temporary or permanent disability, age, or living in an isolated area without access to public transport. The Ring & Ride buses provide a return service to and from your door using limited mobility and wheelchair accessible mini-buses.

We also operate a volunteer car service for individual journeys, tailored to your needs; primarily to healthcare and medical appointments, using the same eligibility criteria as for the Ring & Ride.

With the increasing demand for the volunteer car service, we really do need more volunteer drivers to help with the demand this service requires. There is no regular commitment, when you register you can stipulate when during the week you might be available, even one afternoon a week would be greatly appreciated. You use your own car (no extra insurance cost) and there is a mileage allowance of 45p a mile. Voluntary car drivers’ expenses are paid at the agreed HMRC rate and will have no tax liability. DBS check will be paid for and you will be issued a parking pass for the hospital.

We try to book all journeys a week in advance so there should be no last minute calls, we will either phone or e-mail you with details of the journeys that are available and you can let us know which if any you can do. It really is that simple.

If you would like to sign up as a driver or just require more information on our services please call Lauren or Dawn ✆ 01752 690444 or e-mail info@ringandride.net For regular trips and excursions for the bus service please see www.ringandride.net.

Ivybridge Ring & Ride

6

Plymouth and District Disabled Fellowship The Fellowship supports members who live in the community and in residential care in the Plymouth area through its Welfare and Activities Co-ordinator, along with the use of the Fellowship minibus for social activities throughout the year.

They meet on the second Thursday of each month and there are additional activities throughout the year, such as day trips, theatre trips, visits to organised events throughout Devon and Cornwall and many more, along with an annual lunch and Christmas lunch.

The Fellowship has one vehicle adapted to carry wheelchair users and fitted with an electric lift to aid access; seats can be removed or fitted when necessary.

The Fellowship was originally founded on January 14th, 1949 by 37 people with various disabilities, full of enthusiasm to succeed, their motto being ‘Help us to Help Ourselves’. They purchased Astor Hall in January 1959, providing the organisation with a permanent base.

In May 1960, Astor Hall’s first permanent residential resident arrived - the Fellowship then had a residential care home for people with disabilities as well as the Fellowship club, although this was sold in June 2008.

The Fellowship club continued to operate from Astor Hall until 2013, when it was decided to relocate and it now has an office to the north of Plymouth.

A holiday centre for people with disabilities was purchased at Rockleaze, Dousland near Yelverton in March 1965 and opened in August 1965, but was sold some 15 years later.

Plymouth and District Disabled Fellowship is a registered charity and membership is subscriptionbased - but the benefits to its clients far outweigh the subscription cost.

Donations to help the Fellowship continue its valuable community work are always welcome.

For more information call ✆ 01752 695610, email pddfclub1@btconnect.com or visit www. plymouthanddistrictdisabledfellowship.co.uk

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NOTICEBOARD

Excellent water quality Luna’s Fund Visitors to beaches in the South Hams this year can look forward to a great seaside experience, following the results of bathing water quality tests by Defra.

Sixteen South Hams beaches have been graded as Excellent, the highest possible rating, with one more achieving a commendable Good rating.

South Hams bathing waters consistently achieve high ratings in the annual water quality tests and all beaches have also met strict bathing water quality standards.

From May to September, the Environment Agency check the water quality regularly at all of South Hams District Council’s beaches.

The most significant improvement in the past few year’s results was Wembury. Two years ago it received a Sufficient rating but has improved year on year from Good to Excellent in the latest set of results.

Ian Luscombe, head of practice for environmental health at South Hams District Council, said: ‘These are really fantastic results which reflect the effort South Hams District Council, beach owners and our partners put into looking after our beautiful coastline.

‘I’m confident the excellent water quality will encourage residents and visitors to continue to visit the District’s beaches next year, which we’re privileged to have on our doorstep.’

You can check the water quality standards for other beaches locally and nationally on the Environment Agency’s Bathing Water Explorer website at: www.environment.data.gov.uk/bwq/profiles/

A couple from Plymouth have launched a charity to support bereaved parents who have suffered neonatal loss or stillbirth.

Aimee and Ryan Conroy wanted to help future bereaved parents after their little girl, Luna Valentina Conroy, was sadly born sleeping in November 2017.

Aimee and Ryan said: ‘We wanted to embrace a new journey, something we could channel all our love and energy into on behalf of our Luna.’

The charity, Luna’s Fund, aims to offer an array of services for families to use, in order to create new memories.

Examples of the services offered by Luna’s Fund will include: • Redecoration of the baby’s nursery for parents who feel the room is too painful for them to endure daily; to restore the room to its original/alternative use.

• A relaxing getaway to help both the mind and the body recover, allowing parents to have some time out to process their experience.

• Food hamper deliveries to help reduce the lack of appetite while promoting nutritional goodness; to offer comfort through small luxuries and to allow the family to avoid facing the reality of grocery shopping and social environments in the early stages.

Sue Wilkins, director of midwifery and associate director of nursing at University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust, said: ‘Aimee and Ryan spent a lot of time reflecting on what would have made a difference to their experience after Luna tragically died. The services they are offering are resultant to that deliberation.’

For more information go to www.lunasfund.com

NO M 20 IN 19 E E

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7

Where can you find harvest mice?

The traditional image of harvest mice is of a cute little mouse at the top of a stem of oats or similar arable crop, or maybe posing inside a juicy apple.

However, over the last few years there have been very few harvest mice recorded and data from across the country suggests a serious decline in numbers. With this in mind, Devon Mammal Group has set up the ‘harvest mouse project’ to find out where in the county harvest mice can still be found.

Harvest mice (micromys minutus) are both very small and elusive, so rather than looking for the mice, we search for their nests instead. These nests are amazing spherical structures, often at the top of clumps of grass, made of woven grass and firmly attached to the vertical stems. The nests start off as green, but fade to brown as they age, so are easier to see in the autumn. They also start off as very small and tight, but expand as the babies grow, meaning that they can only be used once.

Harvest mice breed from approximately March until early October, so the project starts in October and runs until March, training people to look for nests and coordinating a county-wide survey.

Devon has been divided into roughly 90 hectads based on the Ordnance Survey map and checks are carried out by volunteers. Harvest mice like nesting in long grasses such as cocks-foot and purple moor grass and looking for nests is not complicated - a bit like looking for a tennis ball in a clump of grass. Once a nest is found, it is then checked by the volunteer to see if it is made up of short little pieces of grass (vole nests) or long woven pieces (harvest mice nests) and a photo taken. If it is a harvest mouse nest, then people can fill in a three-minute long survey form on www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/558NSMH.

This gives us invaluable information about where the nest was, what it looked like, the type of habitat it was in and how big it was. The information is uploaded to our project map, and also shared with Devon Biological Records Office.

Anyone can take part and although we offer training sessions to help people know where to look, training really isn’t necessary: just look out for clumps of long grass and you never know what you might find!

If you would like to be added to our mailing list to hear more about the project and training/group surveys, please email harvestmouse@devonmammalgroup.org.

Harvest Mouse Project Officer Devon Mammal Group

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NOTICEBOARD

Struggling to pay energy bills?

Citizens Advice South Hams is helping local residents to make significant savings on their energy bills. Over the past year, clients have typically made energy cost savings of £200-£500 a year. This is vital work, as shocking new statistics from National Energy Action reveal that one in five private rented households in the UK are in fuel poverty.

Nick White, from Citizens Advice South Hams, said: ‘Our trained Energy Advisers can help people who are struggling to pay their energy bills or who are worried about heating their homes during the winter months.

‘We have a home visiting service to advise on homes with expensive heating systems, draught, damp and mould. Recently we helped a householder whose storage radiator was not wired properly. The landlord has fixed the problem and reimbursed the tenant by £700.

‘In another case we helped a client who could not understand why he was paying over £2,000 a year in energy bills. We liaised with the energy company, identified an error and facilitated reimbursement totalling £985.’

If you would like to talk to Citizens Advice South Hams energy efficiency team, call ✆ 01803-659733 or email energy.advice@southhamscab.org.uk

Supporting business growth on Dartmoor Thousands of pounds worth of grants are currently available to help support the growth of rural businesses on

Dartmoor - and a West Devon-based company is on the lookout for more organisations that can take advantage of this funding.

The Diverse Regeneration Company - a not-for profit Community Interest Company based in Okehampton - has successfully supported rural businesses, farms, tourism and community Flapjackery, based in Tavistock, have projects across the gone from strength-to-strength with Westcountry with more the help of funding from the Greater than £15 million of Dartmoor LEAF programme. grant funding since 2005.

The grants have supported a variety of projects, from new businesses start-ups and equipment investment, to diversification help for farmers.

For individuals, small businesses or farms, knowing where to find the funds and support to start or expand a business can be a tricky business in itself - then starts all the form filling! This is where the Diverse Regeneration Company and their team of expert advisors can help.

A spokesperson for DRC said: ‘There are various funds available to rural businesses - from The Rural Start-Up Fund offering entrepreneurs up to £5,000 for a new startup, the RDPE Growth Fund offering grants from £20K to £175K for business development, food processing and rural tourism, to the local Greater Dartmoor LEAF funding programme - helping to invest in economic, environmental and community-based projects. New opportunities arise regularly and we keep up to date on what is available and relevant for local businesses.’

For more information contact an advisor through www.drcompany.co.uk or email: admin@drcompany.co.uk

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Sparkwell Scouts The Troop includes boys and girls aged between 10 1/2 and 14 years old and has just celebrated its first Scout being awarded the Chief Scout’s Gold Award.

The Scout programme is a mix of fun, challenge, adventure and scouting values. Last year, the Troop hiked, kayaked, shot air rifles, skied on the dry ski slope, made bird boxes, rockets and ‘electric‘ circuits out of kitchen ingredients, learned about hedgehogs and joined other groups on a district camp in Cornwall.

Scouts took part in an expedition hike from Princetown with 50mph winds and a shooting camp in atrocious rain neither dampened the spirits!

The Troop was also able to purchase new camping equipment last year, thanks to a grant of £5,000 from the Co-op Local Causes fund.

As part of the Mayflower 400 celebrations this year, Sparkwell Scouts have joined the Plymouth Scouts’ Peregrine Challenge to learn about the difficulties faced by the settlers when they arrived in America. The scouts will complete a minimum number of challenges throughout the year earning staged badges as they progress. It’s a great opportunity to learn and will see scouts setting their own laws, planting their own crops, making a boat and finally celebrating with a thanksgiving meal.

The Troop meets on Monday evenings from 6.30pm to 8pm in the Old School in Sparkwell. If you’d like to join or need more information please contact Tina: huttonfellowes@aol.com

Shaugh Prior Travel Club Our Travel Club started in early 2019 after consultation with the parishioners who requested it. Almost everyone has a holiday or travels for other reasons; this is often away from home and invariably leads to an interesting story. Club members volunteer to tell the story of their visit somewhere. This has proved very successful and numbers coming have steadily risen in 2019.

To start with, we borrowed audio-visual equipment but after securing a grant we now have a state-of-the-art AV system built in at the village hall. This includes speakers as well as a digital projector and drop-down screen. The presenter brings their talk on a laptop and this is simply coupled up to the projector/sound system.

Talks so far have included trips to Lundy, to Seville (complete with a flamenco dancing lesson), inside information on cruising onboard ships, Argentina, Peru and Bolivia (with some excellent Malbec) and Cornwall in Canada - did you know there is one?

We meet monthly on a Tuesday in Shaugh Hall. We start with tea or coffee and biscuits around 7pm with the informal presentation beginning at 7.30pm. The charge is £2 per person. Our February talk will be given by Steve Oliver on 18th February 18th, 7pm for 7.30pm.

His topic is Uganda. If you are interested simply come along and if you would like to give a presentation please get in touch with me at peterburkill@aol.com. Club membership is free.

Peter Burkill

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Plymouth Red Hat Society Chapter Handbags & Gladrags

A few years ago, a lady named Jenny Joseph (07/01/1932 - 08/01/2018) wrote a poem called ‘Warning’. This poem starts off with: ‘When I am an old woman I shall wear purple With a red hat that doesn’t go, and doesn’t suit me’ These words spurred a whole generation, and more, of women to confront getting older with gusto and not be grey and invisible.

Wherever you go, you may now see ladies of Plymouth Red Hats – Chapter Handbags & Gladrags around town sporting their purple outfits and their fabulous red hats, taking inspiration from the poem which is about embracing life and fun, rather than being held back by age, and what everyone expects an old lady to be and do.

The Red Hat Society began in the United States in 1998 and came to the UK in 2001. The idea quickly spread and now there are chapters all over the world including Europe, Australia, Canada, as well as the United States, with more than 150 chapters here in the UK. It is all

Raising funds for the hospice

NOTICEBOARD about fun and friendship and it seems that all ladies just want to have fun.

To be a ‘Red Hatter’ you must be ‘over fifty and fabulous’ - that is what we say about ourselves. But that does not mean you cannot join the Red Hatters if you are under fifty. You may join as a Pink Hatter. They dress in lavender or lilac, and wear pink hats. We welcome all ladies to do what we do - ‘Live, Love, Laugh’. That is the motto of the Red Hatters.

We are ladies with ‘Hattitude’! It is so much fun for us to don our purple outfits and red hats and go to lunch, the movies, picnic on the beach, the zoo or just wherever our hearts decide to go and watch people watch us.

Nothing makes people smile like a group of ladies in purple and red hats out enjoying themselves. Nothing attracts attention more than a fine red hat!

If you are thinking about becoming a member, don’t hesitate! We welcome new members with open arms. For more information go to www. redhatsociety.com or call Denise Mills on ✆ 07849 413125. memorable evening. Part proceeds from the evening are being donated to St Luke’s Hospice.

Ann Widdecombe MEP was VIP guest at the annual Christmas lighting up party at Glenholt Park last December. Along with mulled wine, mince pies and cream there was hot soup and roast potatoes, festive music and snow showers. The organisers, the park’s ‘Up Your Alley Skittles Club’ would like to thank Ms Widdecombe and every one who attended for making it a magical and

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11

Well done team!

The anaesthetic team at University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust has been re-accredited under the Royal College of Anaesthetists (RCoA) Anaesthesia Clinical Services Accreditation (ACSA) scheme.

The hospital was one of the first to receive the accreditation for the high quality care the anaesthetic team provided to patients.

ACSA promotes quality improvement and the highest standards of anaesthetic service. To receive accreditation, departments are expected to demonstrate high standards in areas such as patient experience, patient safety and clinical leadership.

Dr Sophia Wrigley, consultant anaesthetist at University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust, said: ‘All the members of the anaesthetic, theatre and intensive care departments in Plymouth are delighted to have their hard work, commitment to excellence and high standards of care recognised.

‘The work that underpins the achievement is not to be underestimated. It was a fantastic team effort with every permanent anaesthetic member and our theatre team leaders contributing and many of our trainees having the opportunity to be involved in helping with policy reviews and audits.

Dr Richard Struthers, Justine Elliott, Dr Jeremy Langton RCOA, Dr Sophia Wrigley, Dr Jess Welbourne and Dr Phil Hughes.

Fingers crossed for Awards Harford Bridge Holiday Park at Peter Tavy near Tavistock is a finalist in the upcoming South West Tourism Excellence Awards, having won ‘silver’ in the Touring, Camping and Caravanning Park of the Year category at the prestigious 2019 Devon Tourism Awards.

The independent South West awards panel met at the end of last year to assess a record number of entries Harford Bridge Holiday Park is amongst the 14% of entrants to become a finalist in England’s top tourism region awards, due to be announced at a black tie event in Exeter at the beginning of February.

After hearing of the second award nomination, director Paul Williamson said: ‘Receiving a silver 2019 Visit Devon Tourism Award was real recognition of the hard work put in by our team. We have total commitment to providing our guests with quality and value facilities in a tranquil Dartmoor setting. To be nominated to go forward to the South West Tourism Excellence Awards is a further accolade we are delighted to achieve. 2019 was the first time for us in any tourism award and we are proud to be judged a finalist in both the Devon and the South West awards.

‘We’ve invested over the years in updating our offer, while preserving the tranquillity of our park and continuing to be a sustainable business. We’re a small family-owned business that’s been going 34 years and we employ seven people full-time equivalent. So to be in the running for a second award shows there is room in our market for a small inland park in Devon’s wonderful countryside.’

Riverside pitches for all kinds of camping & touring

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Quality self-catering holiday caravans, lodges and cottage (open all year)

In Dartmoor National Park, near Tavistock

Peter Tavy, Tavistock, Devon PL19 9LS t: 01822 810349 e: stay@harfordbridge.co.uk

w: www.harfordbridge.co.uk 12

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13

Barrie Spencer Councillor, advisor - and stamp collector . . .

B

arrie Spencer says, somewhat ruefully, that he’s now dealing with the children and even grandchildren of his original customers. As an independent financial adviser he’s enjoyed long-standing relationships with his clients - and he still clearly enjoys his business - plus the fact he is his own boss, able to work from anywhere provided he has a phone and internet connection.

Born on the Isle of Sheppey, Barrie moved from the London area to Devon with his wife Carole in 1993.

‘We wanted to be closer to Carole’s family - and I think we were at the stage where we wanted to take life a little easier,’ said Barrie.

‘We were coming down every weekend and we just thought: “Why don’t we move down?” It’s a much better quality of life, it’s a wonderful place to live, I love it and we were able to bring our family up here too.’

Having moved to Bickleigh, Barrie wanted to get more involved in village life and became a parish councillor at around the same time the campaign to create what is now the Woolwell Centre began.

Barrie said: ‘I became chairman of the steering group, which was kind of a baptism of fire! We came up with the plans and proposals and eventually realised the dream. We set out with a budget of £100,000 to build a village hall - but we raised over £400,000 and it ended up a very big village hall!’

As a parish councillor Barrie was involved in the Dame Bertha Lopes Almshouse project to bring a derelict village property back to life, providing social housing for local people, and he is still an active 14

trustee of the Woolwell Centre.

His most recent move within local democracy was when he won a seat on South Hams District Council in last May’s elections.

‘My ward is a very rural area - but I’ve got the best drive to work! I attend parish council meetings or go to see people and it’s absolutely fantastic. Idyllic is a strong word,

Climate change is “ probably the biggest chal-

lenge faced by both the district and parish councils and a huge amount of work was going into shaping future plans and policies in an attempt to reduce waste and save energy

”

but it’s just the best drive you can imagine,’ said Barrie, who sits on the council’s overview and scrutiny panel and its audit committee. He is also a member of the Local Enterprise Partnership joint scrutiny committee.

Councils are famed for their bureaucratic processes and red tape - is this a challenge for the new member for Bickleigh and Cornwood?

‘I work in a very structured environment as an IFA, I have to abide by a whole raft of rules and regulations, so I am not phased by it,’ said Barrie. ‘I’ve spent the last few months learning the job - there’s no real preparation you can do for

it and while it’s not unlike parish council work, the district is political too, so that’s different.’

He said climate change was probably the biggest challenge faced by both the district and parish councils and a huge amount of work was going into shaping future plans and policies in an attempt to reduce waste and save energy, all tiers of local councils working in collaboration and ‘from the same hymn sheet’.

Barrie predicted the potential development of some 2,000 new homes on a greenfield site within his ward would have ‘huge impact’ on neighbouring Woolwell.

‘I think it will have massive implications on the area as a whole and transport is going to be one of the biggest issues,’ he said.

No application has been received yet - but it’s an issue that’s high on the local agenda and which will be taking up plenty of Cllr Spencer’s time in future.

Aside from local politics and the Woolwell Centre, Barrie loves classic cars and his pride and joy is a 1974-plate MGBGT. He also somewhat sheepishly admitted to being an avid stamp collector, having started his collection at the age of 15.

‘One of these days I’ll sit down and catalogue them - perhaps when I retire - which I don’t plan on doing!’ he laughed.

Jane Honey

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Denise Mills

LOCAL PEOPLE

‘We were absolutely elated about it,’ she remembered.

She helped set up Glenholt Community Hub as a way of A community champion bringing people in the area together here is a saying: If you want and when, in January last year, it something done, ask a busy appeared the local shop and post person. It’s a phrase that’s ideally office was in danger of closing, she suited to Denise Mills, a Glenholt started a petition urging people to Park resident and woman who help save the facility. definitely loves to get involved with ‘We held a public meeting, local her community. councillors came, the vicar - we had Denise was born in Tamerton Foliot about 175 people there and they were and went to Bishop Vaughan School. passionate about saving the shop and She started work full time at the age post office,’ said Denise, who said one of 15, initially for a local catalogue person even offered her garage as a company and then did ten years at temporary base for the post office.

Ranco, fitting in twilight shifts around To the community’s great delight, family life and her three children. the shop was taken over and after Living in Thornbury at the time, even a short while the post office was as a busy mum and part time worker re-instated - but as Denise said, it she loved being socially was a simple case of active, organising ‘use it or lose it’ and street parties and the local business hampers for the would always need elderly at Christmas. the support of its Life changed community behind it. dramatically with Denise, who still a move to Spain in has health issues 2002. Denise said: though they are ‘We were house much improved, is hunting in Plymouth passionate about in a cold, wet the provision of January. We saw this defibrillators and exhibition advertised she runs regular Denise (third from left) with one of the park defibrillators at the Novotel, so we coach trips to thought we’d just drop places of interest in. We came home She joined Glenholt Park Residents’ Association, which help provide with the brochures, went funds towards the driving a successful campaign which secured to another exhibition Glenholt Heartbeep £10,000 from the National Lottery for three and by the Sunday Defibrillator Appeal. afternoon we were In the last year or so defibrillators on the park booking a trip to Spain she’s also instigated to take a look!’

‘From that, I thought I ought to give new social groups such as the Denise said leaving her children, Plymouth Red Hats, Off Key Singing, something back to the residents for grown up by then, was the hardest a local craft group and organised helping me.’ part about moving abroad - but she She joined Glenholt Park Residents’ several Tamerton reunions, thanks to and partner Gerald loved the five the power of Facebook!

Association, driving a successful years they spent on the Costa Blanca. campaign which secured £10,000 ‘We had people from all over the Again, the couple threw themselves country at the last one, we filled the from the National Lottery for three into their new way of life, selling pub - the atmosphere was electric!’ defibrillators on the park. The good homes to the Brits and setting up a said Denise happily. news was announced at the summer successful Neighbourhood Watch fair she organised in 2018.

Jane Honey

T

scheme which served as a deterrent during bouts of theft in the area.

However, the extreme heat of Spanish summers took their toll on Denise, who has suffered with Fibromyalgia and ME for many years. The couple returned to Plymouth in 2007 - nipping over to Gibraltar to get married in secret before they came home!

Denise said she and Gerald love living at Glenholt Park - though they do constant battle with deer invading their garden - and in typical Denise style, she has thrown herself into community life. One summer, a charity vintage tea party she organised saw 60 people pack into their garden, raising around £500 for Fibromyalgia and ME charities.

‘It was brilliant,’ said Denise.

“

”

See our community website www.dartmoorlinks.co.uk

15

Robin May

Combining enthusiasm with practicality

R

obin May is one of those enviable people that really loves his work. Born and brought up in Lee Moor, he attended Ivybridge College, leaving school at 16 to take up an electrical apprenticeship with English China Clays.

‘I’ve always been very practical - I was taking TVs to pieces and putting them back together when I was 13. I always think if you enjoy your work - you are never at work!’ said Robin, who ended up moving into the gas industry after his stint with ECC. He and his wife Di moved to Sparkwell in 1992, taking on a 16th century property previously owned

by Ellis Dawe from the nearby wildlife park.

‘When we first saw it, there had been an owl living upstairs, and snakes kept in another room - and one was jammed full of furniture so we didn’t get to go in there’ said Robin.

The couple’s two children were brought up in Sparkwell and while Robin admits there’s still lots to do to the house, he loves the family home and has recently converted the two barns and secretly hopes his children may live there someday.

The local community is also very dear to Robin’s heart. He’s a governor at the school, chairman of the parish council, on which he has sat for ‘a very long time’ and also chairman of Sparkwell Parish Hall and Playground Trust.

‘Like all these things you get involved with, you get out what you put in,’ he said. ‘Sometimes it can be a thankless task, then you get a small reward and all of a sudden you’ve achieved something you set out to do and you think: “Well, that was all worthwhile then”.’

Robin said the council was a ‘great 16

team’ helped by a wonderful parish clerk, Dawn, but he really hoped the younger generation would get involved before long.

‘We try to do the best we can for the parishioners, really that’s how I ended up on the hall committee. The hall was struggling so we called a meeting and we had a great turnout.

It’s a fantastic asset - now we have a

I’ve always been very “ practical - I was taking TVs to pieces and putting them back together when I was 13. I always think if you enjoy your work - you are never at work!

”

‘We were second in our class championship four years running,’ he said. ‘It’s a sport I always enjoyed - then I did some loose surface stage rallies in the Welsh forests in a Sierra. I’d like to do it again, certainly get the car sorted out, though it’s one of those things where I would probably run out of talent long before the car!’

The family had goats for many years, animals Robin found ‘very endearing’, but ultimately gave up keeping due to lack of time.

Another thing he admits he’s rather keen on is - wait for it - drainage..!

Quantities of piping around the house bear evidence to this slightly unusual interest: ‘I’ve spent an awful lot of time trying to move water around this place,’ grinned Robin.

Then there’s walking the dog, Floss, which often takes a while after stopping to talk to people on the way.

As Robin says, there’s never enough time to do everything - but always something to do that will fill a few minutes nicely.

‘I live my life in 15 minute chunks,’ he grinned.

Jane Honey

full team and the best thing for me is we have a lot of young people on it.

‘The hall is a great place, we have lots of events on there, it is used by many local groups and for private functions.’

Whether it’s involvement in Sparkwell’s annual panto (Robin does front of house), the summer fete or the Christmas fair, you can be sure this enthusiastic member of the community will be doing his bit to help.

Considering how busy Robin is locally, and how much work there is to do at home, he’s still really keen to take up his former hobby of rally driving. A previous member of the South Hams Motor Club, he would race in road rallies in the 1980s in his beloved Mini.

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17

Community Projects backed by SOLAR POWER

A

solar array on the Newnham Estate near Plympton - currently Hemerdon Hall and Lee Mill Public Hall.

Between them, the directors have a wealth of experience is not only generating enough energy from the and knowledge of local issues, on which to base funding sun every year to power around 3,500 homes - but is decisions. also generating funding to David Cobbold of Newnham support community projects Estate is the Chair of the CIC and initiatives. and is keen to ensure that the The solar array was built fund has maximum positive on land at the Newnham impact in the local community.

Estate in 2016 and is now David said: ‘I’ve always been owned by Gravis Capital. As keen for Newnham Estate to a condition of building the be as sustainable as possible array, the Estate negotiated and so I was happy for some of that the owner would our land to be used to generate contribute £11,000 a year renewable energy. However, I into a community fund, wanted to ensure that the local for 25 years. The funding area would also benefit from is held in the Newnham the solar array and am pleased Solar Community Fund we managed to secure the and is to be used to support Cllr Nick Wassell and Newnham Estate’s David Cobbold community fund. environmental and social ‘I’m extremely grateful for the initiatives in the parishes of support of Sparkwell Parish Sparkwell and Shaugh Prior.

I’ve always been keen for Council in getting the CIC up The fund is managed by Sparkwell and Shaugh Prior Newnham Estate to be as sustainable and running and now we are in swing we want to encourage Community Interest Company as possible and so I was happy for full community groups and (CIC), which has five directors, some of our land to be used to charities across the parishes of representing the two parish Sparkwell and Shaugh Prior to councils, Newnham Estate generate renewable energy come forward with their funding and from the community David Cobbold requests. halls located in the parishes

“

”

18

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FEATURE What can be funded?

The fund is open to constituted community groups, voluntary groups, clubs and charities that operate in the parishes of Sparkwell and Shaugh Prior, or that primarily support the residents of these parishes. It can support projects that have environmental and/or social benefits for the local community, with grants of normally up to £5,000.

Applicants must be able to demonstrate community support for the project and should not seek funding for anything that they have a statutory duty to do or provide.

The fund can cover capital and revenue costs and up to 100% of the cost of the initiative. However, match funding can help to show community support for the project and can improve the cost effectiveness of the scheme.

What has been funded so far?

Newnham Solar Community Fund has so far awarded £20,569 in grants to five projects. These include: • £13,000 towards a wonderful new play area at Lee Moor.

• £1,950 to refurbish the Shaugh Prior Village Hall floor.

• £564 to Dartmoor Speedwatch for road safety equipment for the benefit of residents and livestock.

• £500 towards the 2019 Shaugh Prior Apple Day, which is a well-attended community event.

• £4,594 towards a full refurbishment of the kitchen in Hemerdon Village Hall, for the benefit of community groups using the facility.

What cannot be funded?

The fund cannot support groups that are socially exclusive, that have political or religious purposes or that make private profit. It cannot fund retrospective costs.

How to Apply Applications can be made at any time and will be considered at the next scheduled Board meeting (meetings held quarterly). The next Board meeting is on Thursday, February 27th and applications should be sent to the CIC at least two weeks before this, to be considered at the meeting.

Applications are reviewed on their individual merit, bearing in mind value for money, evidence of local support and the level of benefit provided.

Once all the money has been allocated for the year, applicants will have to wait until the next payment from the solar array is made.

Further details of the fund and the application forms are available on the website at www.newnhamsolarfund.com Katie Reville joined the CIC in October 2019 to promote and administer the community fund. She has a background of working with community groups, delivering funding schemes and working in the energy sector.

Katie is more than happy to talk to potential applicants about their project ideas and can be contacted on ✆ 07742 062214.

Katie Reville

The new play area at Lee Moor which benefited from a £13,000 grant.

See our community website www.dartmoorlinks.co.uk

19

Climate crisis?

Even small actions can make a difference

T

he subject of climate change is a suitably big one to kick-start the new gardening year, and while the issues are obviously huge and scary, anyone with a garden – however small - has the power for positive action to mitigate its effects, as well as adapting gardening methods to cope with changing conditions.

Even small actions can make a big difference when done collectively: if everyone did just one thing, the impact would be immense. Such as put up a bird nesting box; planted a tree; stopped using harmful chemicals; made a compost bin to recycle garden waste; grew a patch of bee-friendly flowers; or grew a bit of fruit and veg - by no-dig methods for the gold-standard approach.

Many of these positive actions are not only great for the garden and the environment, but often save both time and money too: a real win/ win all round. Lawns are

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a good example: rather than regularly mowing all of a lawn, let at least some grow into a meadow lawn to cut just a couple of times a year, or ‘supercharge’ it further by planting bulbs and wild flowers, including one called yellow rattle that reduces grass growth. Keep a mown path around the edge or through the meadow and the effect will look intentional, or your neighbours may be offering the loan of a mower...

To ‘future-proof ’ your garden against extremes of weather, start with your soil – the foundation on which every garden depends. Heavy rainfall events are now alarmingly frequent, depleting nutrient levels and physically washing away valuable topsoil. Terrace sloping ground into stepped beds if growing veg or annuals; densely plant shrubs, perennials and the like that will protect and retain the soil and mulch the surface with garden compost or chipped bark. Soil takes around 500 years to form a mere inch’s depth, so it’s worth taking care of !

Overlooking the beautiful Tamar Valley, the National Trust’s gardens at Cotehele surround the Tudor house which stands high above the river, with lots to enjoy in every season. Formal terraces with herbaceous borders below the house lead into the woodland Valley gardens down to the river. The Upper Garden includes pools bordered by dogwoods that look fabulous in winter, and meadows spangled with early spring bulbs. www.nationaltrust.org.uk/cotehele

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GARDENING

Seasonal jobs...

- Cut back dead growth of deciduous perennials and ornamental grasses. Put bundles of stems under hedges and shrubs to encourage hedgehogs and beneficial insects.

- Trim or lay hedges of deciduous native plants like hawthorn, blackthorn and hazel – as soon as possible, as birds are starting to nest.

- Lawns can be aerated now to discourage moss and improve drainage. For a pukka job, hire a hollow-tine aerator, then fill the holes with sharp sand.

- Prune butterfly bush (Buddleja) – this vigorous shrub can be cut back really hard if needs be.

- Cut back autumn-fruiting raspberries. Take some stems to ground level and others just by half, and you’ll have fruits from mid-summer onwards.

New Plants

Garden Problems

The predatory Asian Hornet

Rose A Shropshire Lad

Roses are best planted now while dormant and every year sees gorgeous new varieties arrive on the scene. Breeders work hard to achieve better garden performance, like disease resistance and repeat flowering over a longer period, with perfume and colour. The David Austin ‘English’ roses combine an old-fashioned look with new performance and I’m particularly fond of their bush varieties, such as ‘The Pilgrim’, that can be used as short climbers on trellis, arches and obelisks, with the whole plant furnished with blooms from top to bottom.

Yet another threat to our poor beleaguered bees and other pollinating insects is the Asian Hornet, a highly aggressive predatory insect that was introduced accidentally to France in 2004 and is spreading rapidly.

We can all help by being vigilant and reporting suspected sightings immediately: by email to: alertnonnative@ceh.ac.uk to or using the free app: Asian Hornet Watch. Key markings that differentiate the Asian Hornet from our native species are a dark abdomen with a yellow/orange segment (think bikini briefs!) and yellow tips to legs. Do keep your distance, though – this insect stings. More information can be found at www.nonnativespecies.org

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Moorsway Federation Where learning is an adventure!

Shaugh Prior Primary School

The Erme Primary School

Cornwood C of E Primary School

01752 839373 shaughprior @moorsway.devon.sch.uk

01752 892247 theerme @moorsway.devon.sch.uk

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● Schools where each child is valued and known to all the staff ● Experienced teams of dedicated staff ● An inclusive, family ethos where everyone cares for each other

Moorsway Federation can offer: ● Small class sizes ● A broad and balanced curriculum combining excellence and enjoyment of learning

● An exciting weekly Forest School programme in each school ● Residential opportunities in years 4, 5 and 6 ● Outdoor adventurous activity opportunities

Please contact us to arrange a personalised visit with our Head Teacher, Mr Hall, or Assistant Head, Mrs Baker, where we can share in your child’s journey

www.moorswayfederation.org.uk

Shaugh Prior Primary A small school in a wonderful location

A

village school with a family feel and an outstanding caring nature sums up the ethos of Shaugh Prior Primary School and one that as executive head teacher, I am extremely proud of.

Situated just eight miles away from the urban location of Plymouth on the main road through the village, the school serves the rural communities of Lee Moor, Wotter and Shaugh Prior itself, although families are welcomed from near and far. The two class local authoritymaintained school, with 31 children in total, has been a feature of the village since 1889. Shaugh Prior Primary is linked with two other small primary schools to make the Moorsway Federation.

Being such a small school, we offer an education experience that is based on everyone being known as an individual and where relationships between the school, children and families is nurtured.

We are fortunate to have a large outdoor site including two playgrounds, a nature area with a pond, log pile for minibeasts and fire pit. There is also a sports field, a swimming pool and just down the road, access to woodland where the children enjoy their weekly forest school sessions.

At the beginning of December we were lucky enough to officially open our new refurbished KS1 classroom.

Our school ethos is that we are accessible to all children and the £75,000 refurbishment paid for by Devon County Council has created new facilities for children with additional needs. A sensory room and changing room have been added to the existing classroom, which has been filled with new furniture and new learning

24

resources, creating a fantastic environment for the children to learn in.

The children’s voice plays a very important part in the school and the children have the opportunity to be in the school council, where they discuss ways to improve their experience at school, a sports council and when they are older, they are able to become playground buddies.

Being in such a wonderful location, it makes sense to all who work and learn at the school to make use of the outdoors and natural surroundings. We have invested in establishing a thriving Forest School provision and each week the children, led by our qualified forest school leader, have the opportunity to develop their understanding of the natural world as well as developing their physical and social skills. We believe that learning in the outdoors helps build resilience, independence and confidence that can be drawn on in later life.

We even have three chickens that the children look after!

Collecting the eggs and cleaning out the chicken run are just some of the responsibilities the children take on, with great enthusiasm.

The children have the opportunity to attend combined Federation residential activities in years 4, 5 and 6.

In year 4, living as close to nature as possible for three days and two nights is the order of the day. The children camp in tarpaulin covered ‘A’ frame shelters in an old quarry in woodland near the river Dart. While there, they experience learning how to work as a team, compromise and skills such as making fires and how to live without the mod cons of the 21st century.

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EDUCATION

such a small school, “ Being we offer an education experience that is based on everyone being known as an individual and where relationships between the school, children and families is nurtured.

Our Year 5 and Y6 residentials offer more home comforts, when the children experience staying at Heatree House on Dartmoor and Grenville House on the coast at Brixham, where they are undertake a range of exciting and challenging activities such as canoeing, raft building and climbing. These opportunities help build friendships across the Federation, prior to secondary transition.

Even though Shaugh Prior is a small school the children have plenty of opportunities to take part in extra-curricular and sporting activities. From trips out to support their learning, to having the opportunity to take part in Junior Ten Tors in Y6, the small numbers of children allows everyone to take part. Sports teams take

”

part in competitive games against the children from the other schools in the federation and against other schools in the local community.

We are currently rated Good by OFSTED and are all proud of our unique small school, where everyone is valued.

We use our Facebook page to show lots of the activities the children take part in and the Federation website has lots more information.

We are welcoming enquiries for Reception places for September 2020. Please contact us or visit our facebook page for more information.

Simon Hall – Executive Headteacher Shaugh Prior Primary School (Part of Moorsway Federation)

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Parents can relax in the Imagine Café.

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Structured gymnastics Structured classes for gymnastics children classes foraged children aged – 4 months 4 months – years 1010 years gymbubbas.co.uk gymbubbas.co.uk

Outstanding Childcare in Woolwell 15 Hours or 30 Hours FREE Childcare for eligible 2, 3 & 4 Year Olds Available Now! School Drive, Woolwell, Plymouth PL6 7TH

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Outstanding Childcare and Natural Environments Outstanding and Caring Staff for Your Child 25

A wound that isn’t healing?

Toe nails need trimming?

Come and see the team at DDRC Wound Care in Plymouth Specialist Tissue Viability Nurses Advanced Wound Care Friendly & Personalised Care

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Understanding Women’s Health ‘Pelvic issues’ Are you worried about the risk We would like to invite you to one of our morning talks on: falling?that arise and ‘Commonof problems

how these can be prevented, Balance & Mobility Classes managed and treated.’

Call 01822 617722 www.tavistockphysio.co.uk www.tavistockphysio.co.uk

Falls ledpre byorour Suitable forprevention all ages, especially postqualified Natal and over 40s.

Physiotherapists Please ring the clinic for details and to book a place. Tickets £10.00

Regain your confidence & maintain your It’s never too late OR too early to help yourself! independence – Lamerton – Yelverton Tavistock

NOT HEARING PROPERLY? You are only a phone call away from changing your life

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26

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HEALTH & BEAUTY

Diabetes How it happens - and how it can be prevented or treated

D

iabetes is fast becoming one of the leading causes of illness and death in the UK. To explain why, it’s important to understand something about the nature of this condition.

Diabetes is an illness concerning a problem with transfering the sugars we digest from food into the cells of our body to provide us with energy. Insulin is a hormone produced by the pancreas gland that enables this transfer of sugars from the blood to the cells where it is needed.

Type 1 diabetes typically starts in childhood and is due to a failure of the pancreas to produce enough insulin. This type of diabetes requires lifelong insulin replacement.

Type 2 diabetes usually occurs in adulthood and starts when the cells become resistant to the effects of insulin.

This second type of diabetes is associated with obesity and it is increasing as obesity becomes more common. When we eat carbohydrates - the sugary and starchy foods in our diet - this triggers the production of insulin. When we overload this system with high amounts of carbohydrates and snack between meals so that the insulin levels never switch off, as they are designed to do, gradually the cells become more resistant to its effects. Sugar levels then rise in the blood as it cannot pass into the cells, causing damage to blood vessels which in turn leads to the complications of diabetes including heart disease, stroke, kidney failure, blindness and amputations.

Type 2 diabetes, once it progresses, is usually treated with tablets but can eventually require insulin treatment. It is diagnosed by either testing blood sugars or by another blood test called an HbA1c (or glycosylated haemoglobin)

which reflects how high the blood sugars have been over the previous three months. Diabetes is diagnosed if the HbA1c is above 48 mmol/mol and pre-diabetes (where there is a high risk of eventually developing diabetes) if the HbA1c is between 42 and 47 mmol/mol.

This all sounds pretty daunting but actually there is very good news about our ability to prevent and treat Type 2 diabetes! There is a good chance that if you develop Type 2 diabetes or early signs of this (pre-diabetes), it is possible to reverse the condition and prevent the complications. The treatment is straightforward, has no significant side effects and even prevents some forms of cancer! It’s simple, cheap and in our own control!

This key solution is weight loss and there is good evidence that losing weight can reverse the onset of diabetes. There is also now a national Diabetes Prevention programme which your GP can refer you to if you test positive for pre-diabetes.

So, what can you do to prevent diabetes occurring in the first place? There are some very simple steps.

• Reduce intake of sugar (cakes, biscuits, sweets, chocolate and packaged foods) and starchy foods (bread, rice, pasta and potatoes) and base your meals more on vegetables, lean meat, fish, beans and pulses.

• Don’t snack between meals.

• Do at least 30 minutes of exercise five times a week or 150 minutes on average over the whole week.

• Aim for a normal weight to height ratio (BMI of 20-25) if you can.

• If you think you are at risk of developing diabetes, ask for a screen for diabetes from your GP and a referral to the Diabetes Prevention Programme if you test positive for prediabetes.

You can find out more information about diabetes and prediabetes from www.diabetes.org.uk https://patient.info/diabetes/pre-diabetes-impairedglucose-tolerance

Dr Annabelle Mascott is a doctor at Woolwell Medical Centre

See our community website www.dartmoorlinks.co.uk

27

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Seven essentials for a sustainable healthy lifestyle

N

ew Year’s resolutions statistics are pretty grim.

Data shows that between just one and six short weeks, life returns to normal and those good intentions are long forgotten.

BUT - the good news is that there’s still time to make 2020 your healthiest yet, so here are a few quick tips to help stick to a healthy lifestyle...

1. Find a partner in crime Not only is working out with a friend more fun, it also means you’re less likely to cancel and therefore more likely to reach your goals. Win. Take Action: Ask around, get someone on board, set dates and get excited.

2. Do what you love You’re far more likely to stick to your healthy routine if you’re having fun.

Take Action: Do you prefer indoors or outdoors? Group or solo missions? What do you already find fun? Have a look at what’s around and see what takes your fancy. Or be brave and try something new - you never know until you try.

3. Plan it in Time for YOU is just as important as everything else. So, like all the other important things, make appointments with yourself and stick to them.

Take Action: Take a look at your schedule. Can you incorporate exercise into what you’d usually do or find a spare 20-30minutes a few times a week?

See our community website www.dartmoorlinks.co.uk

HEALTH & BEAUTY 4. Manage your mindset ‘I have to do this run’ vs ‘I get to do this run’. What you tell yourself has a huge effect on general outlook and emotional wellbeing. So practice motivating yourself and celebrate every win.

Take Action: Make a conscious effort to listen to what you tell yourself. If it’s not aligned with your goals, reframe the thoughts. Consistency is key.

5. Get competitive If you’re the competitive type, use it!

Take Action: Enter a race to train for. Having something to work towards is useful, plus it’s great to have a goal which focuses on what your body can do as opposed to how it looks.

6. Revisit your goals Having clear intentions and reasons helps when motivation dips.

Take Action: Set aside ten minutes to jot down your top three goals, why they’re your goals and why it matters.

Refer back to this regularly to remind yourself why you started.

7. Use a helping hand A healthy lifestyle includes nutrition, exercise, mindset and balance. Having a personalised plan means you learn exactly what works for you, and how to keep it up.

Take Action: Research personal trainers, read reviews, see what’s on offer and find someone you could enjoy spending time with - Your PT will become your greatest ally, so it’s important you find a great match.

And most importantly? Keep going.

Polly Rowe, Hell Yeah Healthy Personal Training

29

Providing vital support since 1983

The Shaugh Prior Parish Plod raised £3,725 for PDLF in 2019

T

With initial support of the Evening Herald and the hanks to this local charity, patients suffering from generosity of many people in Plymouth and surrounding leukaemia, lymphoma or myeloma can now receive areas, a target of £500,000 was achieved. This paid the best treatment, in modern and pleasant facilities, for four laminar flow rooms in Birch Ward, all the here in Plymouth. set-up costs of bone marrow harvesting, cell freezing But it wasn’t always like this. Back in 1982, treatment and storage and cell culture to check the frozen cells for leukaemia in Plymouth was rudimentary with no specialised facilities. Patients who needed a bone marrow are still viable. There were also steps to increase many treatments, for example blood transfusion, on a day case transplant needed to travel to London and there was often a waiting time of several months. You can imagine basis rather than staying in hospital overnight.

The first how it felt when you knew that although this allogeneic was the best hope, the treatment was far from (another friends and family, would go on for weeks and person’s stem you might cells) bone not make it marrow through. On transplant top of this, (BMT) was the disease performed in might relapse Plymouth in while you are 1989. Chris waiting for a Allen, a space in the PDLF trustee, programme. recently One patient, celebrated Simon his 25th Driscoll, was diagnosed as having acute Bracken Ward Extension Opening - Dr Adrian Copplestone, anniversary leukaemia but died nine weeks later, just after Graham Parker (Tavistock Rotary), Julie Williams and Catherine Bailey (Tavistock Rotary) since his his 15th birthday.

BMT. In Simon’s mother, Sylvia Driscoll, other patients 1994, in a new improvement, the stem cell harvests and relatives approached the recently appointed were obtained using peripheral blood rather than bone Consultant Haematologist Dr Archie Prentice. Together marrow harvests, which require a general anaesthetic they found a way for local patients to be treated in a and are painful. During the late 1990s, with the benefit special unit with specialised equipment in Plymouth. The of a legacy, a molecular biology laboratory was set up, Health Authority agreed to provide a basic ward, but and this enabled rapid specific diagnosis of the type of could not fund the specialised equipment – so PDLF was leukaemia or lymphoma. set up in 1983 and became a registered charity in 1984.

30

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CHARITY FOCUS With the new century, it was obvious that the laminar flow facilities (to protect patients from infection) needed upgrading. The ward was moved to Bracken Ward and PDLF raised money to provide rooms with ensuite facilities. Patients can stay in hospital for four to six weeks at a time, so every effort was made to make their lives as comfortable as possible – for example, better chairs. The doors have smart glass which becomes opaque at the touch of a button for privacy.

The old Birch Ward was turned into an excellent bright new Day Case Unit, so many patients can receive investigation and treatments and then go home.

Despite the new facilities, some patients were not able to be accommodated in the Bracken Ward. PDLF paid £200,000 toward the costs of converting two new bays to extend Bracken Ward, so that now, local patients can be treated in the same ward by the expert nursing and medical staff. The extension was formally opened on September 2nd, 2019. Dawn, a patient, said that it has really helped boost the morale of patients. Previously she had experience of having been looked after on another ward where staff were not familiar with her specialised requirements and this made her very worried and upset.

Dr Adrian Copplestone Chair Trustees/Retired Consultant Haematologist

Fundraising: None of these initiatives could have happened without the effort and generosity of countless people, mainly based in Plymouth and surrounding areas. From patients, relatives, friends and work colleagues, there has been a constant stream of donations and fundraising activities. Recent examples have included the Shaugh Prior Parish Plod which was held in June.

The walk goes from the White Thorn Inn, Shaugh Prior to the Royal Oak in Heavy, to the Skylark in Clearbrook. This raised £3,725. Graham Parker and Julie Williams completed a Skydive and raised £1,250. Tavistock Rotary have raised £10,000 for specialised infusion pumps over the last couple of years.

How you can help: Apart from fundraising, the Fund is looking for a Treasurer, ideally someone with a financial background, and others to support the Trustees. In particular, PDLF is looking for someone with expertise to look after our social media.

The Trustees also welcome suggestions from patients and relatives for future projects – ways in which we can make things just a little easier for patients diagnosed with haematological malignancies.

The annual meeting is held every April and this year it will be on Wednesday, April 29th (details nearer the time on the website).

You can contact PDLF via the website www.pdlf.org.uk

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31

Regulars

1ST SATURDAY OF THE MONTH

6 FEBRUARY

High quality, handmade wares from local artists - unique products not found on the high street and a chance to meet the artists and makers themselves. 9am to 4pm in the Butchers’ Hall, Tavistock (free entry).

Regular meeting at St Anne’s Church, Glenholt, between 7.15pm and 9.30pm.

LAST SUNDAY OF THE MONTH

In The Guildhall, Plymouth, between 10am and 2pm. Building Plymouth and the Plymouth Manufacturers’ Group have brought together top employers, offering hundreds of local apprenticeships. This is the event to explore amazing and diverse job roles available right now, in Construction & the Built Environment and Manufacturing & Engineering. Taster activities, sample products, and chat with Plymouth apprentices already working within these dynamic and growing industries. Free entry.

Tavi Arts Market

EVERY MONDAY

Pilates

At St Anne’s Church, Glenholt, between 9.15am and 10.30am.

Exercise to Music (Term time only) At St Anne’s Church, Glenholt, between 1.30pm and 2.30pm.

TUESDAYS

Janey’s Hatha Flow Yoga At St Anne’s Church, Glenholt, between 6.30pm and 8pm.

EVERY SECOND TUESDAY

Townswomen’s Guild

The guild meets at 7.30pm at the Woolwell Centre, catering for all interests. Meetings are concluded with coffee and chat.

Sparkwell Farmers’ Market Held in the parish hall, Sparkwell. Come and support this friendly local market with a range of great producers.

February 1 FEBRUARY

GLENHOLT COMMUNITY MARKET At St Anne’s Church, Glenholt, between 10am and 12.30pm.

4 February

EVERY WEDNESDAY

The City of Plymouth Credit Union Office

GLENHOLT COMMUNITY FORUM

Savers can obtain loans at 2% or less.

Children can save too. All savers are covered by a free life insurance. Call in for more information or ring 01752 201329.

11am - 1pm in the Princetown Community Centre, Tavistock Road, Princetown, PL20 6QE.

A regular meeting for all residents and workers in Glenholt, held at St Anne’s Church between 3pm and 5.30pm. This month, come and meet your local councillor Chris Mavin, the Devon & Cornwall Police Commissioner and a representative from Age UK.

EVERY THURSDAY

5 FEBRUARY

Off Key Singing

At St Anne’s Church, 1pm to 2pm, Glenholt.

Contact Denise on 07849 413125.

Krafty Krafters A craft group meeting at St Anne’s Church, Glenholt, between 2.30pm and 4pm.

Contact Denise on 07849 413125.

EVERY FRIDAY

Plymouth Red Hats At the Toby Carvery (The George), Roborough, between 2pm and 5pm.

Contact Denise on 07849 413125.

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PLYM VALLEY WI

8 FEBRUARY

APPRENTICESHIPS JOBS FAIR

10, 23, 28 FEBRUARY

VOLUNTEER DAYS AT BURRATOR RESERVOIR Meet at Burrator Discovery Centre. Please wear old clothes, sturdy footwear, rainwear etc, and bring lunch and drink. Monday, Tuesday and Friday: 10am-3pm; Sunday: 10.30am-3.30pm. Contact 01822 855700 for more information.

SIMON EVANS: THE WORK OF THE DEVIL Simon Evans’ last show, Genius 2.0, provided an hilarious analysis of the departure of any visible sign of intelligence from modern life. But his new show raises the stakes, with his usual excoriating views of a world on fire given a perspective shift from personal revelations that turned his world upside down this year. See him at Redhouse Theatre, Millbay Road, Plymouth at 8pm. Tickets £15 plus £1.50 booking fee.

For more information go to https://www. comicalentertainment.com/book-tickets

12- 15 FEBRUARY

THE ICE QUEEN OF MEAVY A new queen is to be crowned, and the coronation is to be held in Meavy! Expect trouble, thievery, love and ice at the panto.

7.30pm daily in Meavy Parish Hall, plus Saturday matinee at 2.30pm.

12-15 FEBRUARY

DINO-SAW

Join baby Dino on an adventure. An immersive theatre show for babies,

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WHAT’S ON toddlers and waddlers from Stiltskin Theatre Company at their award winning children’s theatre, The Soapbox in Devonport Park. Suitable for 6 months+ and their big people! 11.30am & 1.30pm.

Tickets from £8.50. For more information go to www.stiltskin.org.uk

and 4pm. Free admission and over 40 tables of vintage and salvage articles.

15 FEBRUARY

SETH LAKEMAN IN CONCERT At St Andrew’s Church, Plymouth. See Music and Art for more information.

13 FEBRUARY

MOOR’S EDGE U3A Monthly meeting, 2.30pm at the Woolwell Centre - Movie Moments with speaker Elizabeth Dulcie.

15 & 16 FEBRUARY

OPEN GARDEN

See the snowdrops at The Mount, Delamore, Cornwood. See What’s On Extra for more information.

17 FEBRUARY

MEAVY GARDEN SOCIETY AGM at 7pm followed by refreshments and a talk by Penny Jones of Penny`s Primulas on ‘So why Primula sieboldii?’ in Meavy Parish Hall. Enquiries 01822 852672 and 01822 852984; www.meavy.org.uk/mgs 18 FEBRUARY

CHILDREN’S BEADED JEWELLERY WORKSHOP

15-23 FEBRUARY

SPOT BRUNEL FAMILY TRAIL A half term activity for all the family at the Bridging the Tamar Visitor Centre, Plymouth PL5 1LP. Can you go on a hunt to find Brunel in and around the centre this half term? See if you can find his hiding places as well as discover a few facts about this historical figure and the man who designed the Royal Albert Bridge.

At the Makers’ Table in Ocean Studios, Royal William Yard, Plymouth. Two workshops at 12pm-2pm and 2pm-4pm. All materials provided, suitable for all levels.

Booking essential, £10 per person plus Eventbrite booking fee. To book see https:// www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/childrens-beaded18 FEBRUARY

VINTAGE AND SALVAGE FAIR

16 FEBRUARY

YELVERTON & DISTRICT LOCAL HISTORY SOCIETY

Vintage, textile and salvage fair at the Butchers’ Hall, Tavistock between 10am

See them at Plymouth Jazz Club. See Music and Art for more information.

‘A Rural Legacy Lost: the decline of salmon fishing on the River Dart’ - a talk by Nick Baker at Meavy Parish Hall at 7.30pm.

15 FEBRUARY

RIVIERA RAMBLERS

Separation and divorce, especially when you have children, is always an emotionally stressful time.

Family Mediation

Woollcombe Yonge Solicitors are specialist family lawyers and mediators.

We help couples avoid expensive court battles in a non-confrontational solution-based way.

Saving time, money and stress for all.

We offer experience, knowledge and a modern approach.

For a free, initial discussion on mediation and how we could help you resolve your issues more amicably

Call Will Giles on 01752 660384 Woollcombe Yonge Solicitors

63-65 Bretonside Plymouth PL4 0BD wg@wysolicitors.co.uk

woollcombeyonge.co.uk See our community website www.dartmoorlinks.co.uk

33

19-22 FEBRUARY

26 FEBRUARY

Rose Heiney’s play Elephants is a sharp, black comedy with a tender heart that explores the paths we take in life and their repercussions on the people we love most.

But behind the shiny tinsel and baubles, nothing is quite right. From alcoholism to racism, drug addiction and murder, how can one family come back to normality? If there is such a thing . . . See Elephants at The Red House Theatre, Millbay Road, Plymouth. Evenings 7.30pm, matinées 2.30pm. Tickets £11/£10/£6, matinée £9.

Free workshop looking at semi natural grassland in the form of commons and new-takes and relating it to upland suckler cows to maximise summer and winter grazing to improve their health and performance - with specialist Charlie Morgan, the ‘Grassmaster’. 11am – 3pm in Princetown area, lunch provided. Contact 01822 890913 or hfp@dartmoor.gov.uk to reserve a space.

ELEPHANTS

UPLAND SUCKLER COW GRASSLAND NUTRITION

28 FEBRUARY 22 FEBRUARY

SWAP SHOP & PAMPER EVENING

At The Pavilions, Plymouth. See Music and Art for more information.

One for the ladies! See What’s on Extra for more information.

BETH HART

29 FEBRUARY

23 FEBRUARY

COACH TRIP TO BEAULIEU Enjoy a trip to Beaulieu to the National Motor Museum, set in the heart of the New Forest in Hampshire. Beaulieu is one of the South of England’s top attractions including the National Motor Museum, palace, house and gardens, Beaulieu Abbey and World of Top Gear. The coach leaves Glenholt at 8am and returns at 8pm.

The cost of the trip is £20 + entry to Beaulieu Motor Museum (Adults £16, Seniors £14.75, Youth 13 – 17 £9.50 & Child 5 – 12 £8.25). For information call Denise on 07849 413125.

21 FEBRUARY-14 MARCH

ART EXHIBITION

‘Artists for all Seasons’ features the work of Richard Slater RI, Allin Braund, Arthur Homeshaw SWA, and Carol Leith, including a variety of mediums at Wildwood Art Gallery, Horrabridge, PL20 7SP. Visit wildwoodartsdartmoor.co.uk for details or call 01822 258529.

26 FEBRUARY

ST ANNE’S LADIES’ GROUP Meeting at St Anne’s Church, Glenholt, between 2pm and 4pm.

34

ITALIAN EXPERIENCE EVENING In The Butcher’s Hall, Tavistock. See What’s On Extra for more information.

March

www.resolutionrun.org.uk

3, 9, 22, 27 MARCH

VOLUNTEER DAYS AT BURRATOR RESERVOIR Meet at Burrator Discovery Centre. Please wear old clothes, sturdy footwear, rainwear etc, and bring lunch and drink. Monday, Tuesday and Friday: 10am-3pm; Sunday: 10.30am-3.30pm. Contact 01822 855700 for more information.

3-7 MARCH

AN INSPECTOR CALLS At Plymouth Theatre Royal. See Music and Art for more information.

3 MARCH

GLENHOLT COMMUNITY FORUM Held at St Anne’s Church in Glenholt, this is open for all residents and workers of Glenholt and takes place between 3pm and 5.30pm.

4 MARCH

1 MARCH

UNIVERSITY OF PLYMOUTH BIG BAND Appearing at Plymouth Jazz Club at the RBL, Tailyour Road, Crownhill. Following their amazing performance last year the club is delighted to once again present this very talented and enthusiastic group of young musicians playing big band jazz and swing. 7pm for 7.30pm. Admission £10 (members £8, full-time students £5) Tickets on the door; information 01752 774343 or go to www.plymouth-jazz-club.org.uk 1 MARCH

RESOLUTION RUN At Saltram House, to raise funds for the Stroke Association. Warm up starts at 8.50am, the run starts at 9am. You can run 5k, 10k or 15k. For more information go to

CIVIL SERVICE RETIREMENT FELLOWSHIP Retired? Why not join us for a friendly chat and a cuppa, (or something a wee bit stronger) at 12.30pm in the restaurant of the Prince of Wales Hotel, Princetown.

Guest speaker is Tom Soby with an illustrated talk on ‘A Tale of Two Counties’.

5 MARCH

GARDENING TALK For Plympton Gardening Club by Sue Fisher, entitled ‘Spectacular Containers for all round Colour’ at Harewood House, Plympton PL7 2AS. Start time 7.30pm. Non members welcome, £1 entry.

6 MARCH

CINEMA MEAVY Downton Abbey: The continuing story of the Crawley family, wealthy owners of a large

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WHAT’S ON estate in the English countryside in the early 20th century, beginning in 1927. Certificate: PG, £5 adult, admission £2 for children under 12 with an adult, licensed bar, 8pm at Meavy Parish Hall www.meavy.org.uk

GLENHOLT COMMUNITY MARKET

Were you brought up in Tamerton? Maybe you attended the old Mary Deane School in Rock Hill? Come along to the reunion of family and friends from the 1920s to the 1980s at The King’s Arms, Tamerton Foliot between 2.30pm and 6pm. Contact Denise Mills for further information on 07849 413125 or visit the Tamerton Foliot Bygone Days page on Facebook.

At St Anne’s Church, Glenholt, between 10am and 12.30pm.

14 & 15 MARCH

7 MARCH

13 & 14 MARCH

YELVERTON ART FESTIVAL A celebration of local art in Yelverton War Memorial Hall on Saturday 3pm-7pm and Sunday 10am-4pm with an exhibition by local artists, art workshops and a café.

Proceeds from the festival will support Camps International and Plymouth and Cornwall Cancer Fund. Free Entry.

14 MARCH

TAMERTON FOLIOT REUNION

MIND, BODY, SPIRIT & CRAFT FAIR

15 MARCH

THE JABBO FIVE Traditional jazz from a fine band set up by Dave Martin to play the music of Jabbo Smith and his Rhythm Aces from 1929. At Plymouth Jazz Club in the RBL Club, Tailyour Road, Crownhill, Plymouth. 7pm for 7.30pm. Admission £10 (members £8, full-time students £5) Tickets on the door; information 01752 774343, or go to www. plymouth-jazz-club.org.uk

At the Woolwell Centre. See What’s On Extra for more information.

15 MARCH

PAINT THE TOWN, TAVISTOCK Local businesses, in conjunction with local primary schools, will create bright and wonderful window displays throughout town to bring Tavistock alive for Spring.

Activities will be taking place on Bedford Square. www.visit-tavistock.co.uk

Terms & Conditions 1. This discount voucher is only redeemable at our Crownhill office.

2. This voucher may be deducted from the retail price of a Funeral with advance payment or a Pre-Paid Funeral Plan at the time of purchase.

3. Only one voucher is redeemable against each transaction.

4. The discount voucher is solely redeemable by the purchaser.

5. The discount does not apply if the Funeral Plan or Funeral is to be paid for in instalments or by fixed monthly payments.

6. The voucher may not be exchanged for cash or used in conjunction with any other discount or promotion.

7. The voucher will be void if reproduced.

8. Discount does not apply to Funeral Plans purchased online.

9. The decision of Walter C. Parson Ltd in relation to each discount is final and binding.

10. Walter C. Parson Ltd reserve the right to withdraw this promotion at any time.

11. This voucher is valid until 30th April 2020.

See our community website www.dartmoorlinks.co.uk

35

WHAT’S ON 15 MARCH

www.oceancitymotorcyclefestival.org.uk

POP UP CINEMA

28 MARCH

MEN’S DAY OUT

At St Anne’s Church, Glenholt at 3pm.

Tickets £5 per person, film title TBA. Refreshments and popcorn on sale, proceeds from sale of refreshments to Glenholt Heartbeat Defibrillator Appeal Fund.

A charity walk through the streets of Plymouth - Men Only! See What’s On Extra for more information.

16 MARCH

Another egg-citing and free trail brought to you by Tavistock BID. Collect your clue sheet and find all the eggs to earn yourself a goody bag. Collect your sheets from Kaleidoscope, The Visitor Information Centre and the Toy Cupboard. www. visit-tavistock.co.uk

28 MARCH – 11 APRIL

TAVISTOCK EASTER EGG HUNT

MEAVY GARDEN SOCIETY SPRING FUN SHOW In Meavy Parish Hall, 7pm for 7.30pm with schedule available at www.meavy.org.uk/ mgs. Evening meetings normally start at 7.30pm in Meavy Parish Hall.

Refreshments, time to chat and often plants for sale from 7pm. Enquiries 01822 852672 and 01822 852984 17 MARCH

ST PATRICK’S DAY Everyone’s welcome to celebrate the Patron Saint of Ireland’s special day with song and dance at St Anne’s Church, Glenholt. Fancy dress encouraged, bring a plate of buffet food and your very own tipple, prizes for the best dressed and best Irish dancing, grand raffle, teas, coffees and cakes will be served. Entrance just £3 per person.

20 MARCH

WALK ON THE WILD SIDE A ten mile coastal walk from Plymouth’s Jennycliff to raise money for Blind Veterans UK. Join this scenic walk to explore some of the coastal areas of this famous naval town, passing Bovisand Fort and Heybrook Bay. Lace up your walking boots and join Team Blind Veterans to embark upon a brand new adventure. Adults £15, children £10, children under 5 free. 10am until 4pm. For more information go to www.blindveterans. org.uk/march/plymouth

17 MARCH

YELVERTON & DISTRICT LOCAL HISTORY SOCIETY ‘The Black Death on Dartmoor’ - a talk by Dr David Stone at Meavy Parish Hall at 7.30pm.

19 MARCH

PLYMOUTH BIKE NIGHT Plymouth Bike Nights was started in 2010 by the members and friends of the Plymouth Motorcycle Club with the aim to provide a local bike night meet for bikers from Plymouth and South East Cornwall.

With financial support from the local motorcycle traders and with the kind permission from Plymouth City Council for the use of the Hoe Promenade, Bike Night events are held in support of local charities. 5.45pm until 9pm. For more information go to 36

22 MARCH

SILVER SERVICE At St Anne’s Church, Glenholt, between 4pm and 5.30pm.

28 MARCH

UPCYCLED MARKET A brand new market showcasing the benefits of innovative recycling by practising re-use, not refuse! Jewellery, homewares, furniture, clothes, gifts and much more. Taster workshops, coffee and cake bar. 10am until 4pm in The Butcher’ Hall, Tavistock. Free entry.

29 MARCH

COACH TRIP TO FALMOUTH & CARNON DOWNS GARDEN CENTRE Falmouth is one of the foremost holiday destinations in Cornwall and has a bustling town centre. Whether you wish to browse the shops, or take in the scenic sea views, pay a visit to Pendinnis Castle, or the Maritime Museum, there is something for everyone. There will also be visit to Carnon Downs Garden Centre. Cost £13.

For more information call Denise or Gerald on Denise on 07849 413125.

24-28 MARCH

THE PIRATES OF PENZANCE Presented by Plymouth Gilbert and Sullivan Theatre Productions at Devonport Playhouse. See Music and Art for more information.

25 MARCH

ST ANNE’S LADIES’ GROUP At St Anne’s Church, Glenholt, between 2pm and 4pm.

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The heart of Three great venues at the heart of our beautiful bustling market town

TAVISTOCK TOWN HALL

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Whether you’re holding a wedding, gala dinner, sales fayre, or even an exercise class, our facilities and friendly and experienced staff make our elegant Gothic building the ideal venue for your event.

01822 617232

townhall@tavistock.gov.uk VOTED AS ONE OF THE ‘BEST TOWN WEDDING VENUES’ IN THE SOUTH WEST Butchershalltavistock Butchers_Hall ButchershHallTavistock

Butchers’ Hall is a beautifully restored Grade II listed building in the heart of Tavistock which hosts a variety of specialist markets & events as well as being available for private hire.

01822 616134

butchershall@tavistock.gov.uk The restoration of Butchers Hall took first place in category in the Devon Historic Building Trust Awards 2019

Pannier Market Tuesdays - Antiques & Collectables Wednesday - Crafts and mixed market Thursday - Crafts and mixed market Friday - Traditional Charter Market Saturday - Regular themed markets

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What’s On

What’s On OCTOBER

OCTOBER Goose Fair, 10th Open 9am - 6pm

Goose Fair, 10th DECEMBER Open 9am - 6pm Dickensian DECEMBER Evening, 7th Open 9am - 9pm Dickensian Traders in Evening, 7th

TavistockPannierMarket

WHAT’S ON EXTRA

February 15 & 16

Open Gardens Get the year’s garden visiting off to a great start and venture out to see the snowdrops at The Mount, Delamore, Cornwood, which is opening in February for the charities supported by the National Garden Scheme (NGS).

Welcome one of the first signs of spring by wandering through the swathes of thousands of snowdrops in this lovely wood. Paths meander through a sea of these beautiful plants, some of which are unique to Delamore and which were sold as posies to Covent Garden Market as late as 2002. There are mainly rough paths and woodland tracks so wheelchair access is difficult.

At NGS open gardens the money taken at the gate goes to Macmillan Cancer Support, Marie Curie Cancer Care, Hospices UK, Carers Trust and other nursing and caring charities which are supported by the NGS. The money taken for the teas and plants also goes to the charities unless stated otherwise.

The Mount is open on Saturday, February 15th and Sunday, February 16th from 10.30am to 3.30pm. The address is The Mount, Delamore, Cornwood, Ivybridge PL21 9QP. Please park in car park for Delamore Park Offices, not in village. Admission is £4.50 and children are free.

More information on this garden and all the gardens opening in 2020 is available on the website: www.ngs.org. uk. From late February the Devon yellow booklet will be available in garden centres, Tourist Information Centres and selected outlets.

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February

Hill Farm Training Courses Dartmoor Hill Farm Project (HFP) provides a yearround training programme for farmers and local residents involved in managing Dartmoor’s landscape.

Winter activities have included an opportunity to listen to Chris Clark, the co-author of a topical report titled ‘Less Is More: Improving profitability and the natural environment in hill and other marginal farming systems’.

Published for the RSPB, National and Wildlife Trusts it explores the underlying economics of hill farming.

February will also see ‘Grassmaster’ Charlie Morgan discuss the value of hill grazing and how to balance the nutritional needs of the upland suckler cow. Other topics in the pipeline include Ash Dieback, Countryside Stewardship and the next Hedgerows and Boundaries grant.

Events and Activities Winter 2020 Management of Upland Waders (Two Bridges) – February date TBC. Free Focus on Ash Dieback with the Forestry Commission (Mary Tavy) – February date TBC. Free Upland Suckler Cow Grassland Nutrition with Charlie Morgan – February 26th, 11am until 3pm. Venue TBC. Charlie is a well-known grassland specialist whose career at IBERS (Aberystwyth) focussed on hill grazing. This should be an excellent workshop and will explore how to maximise summer and winter grazing to improve the health and performance of suckler cows.

Hedgerows and Boundaries Grant (Peter Tavy) – February TBC Introduction to Dry Stone Walling (Okehampton) – February 28th & 29th. 9am to 5pm. £60 (inc VAT) A two-day dry stone walling course for beginners with an experienced tutor covering all of the basic skills required to build or repair a dry stone wall. The training is undertaken as part of a small group in stunning locations and a certificate of attendance is issued on completion of the course. It is suitable for beginners and those with some experience of walling.

How to Apply for Countryside Stewardship - March 4th at Princetown. Details to be confirmed.

For up to date information or to book call ✆ 01822 890913 or email hfp@dartmoor.gov.uk, visit the website or check Facebook.

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February 29

Italian Experience Evening Transport yourself from the depths of winter in West Devon to the sunny climes of the Mediterranean at a special event being held in Tavistock this February.

The historic Butcher’s Hall in the heart of the town’s pannier market precinct will be the setting for an Italian Experience Evening with local delicatessen De la Torres, which is making fresh pastas, risottos and antipasti. In addition, you can look forward to wood-fired pizzas, plus delicious tiramisu.

There will be an Italian bar, great coffee and live music to make the evening go with a swing!

The evening is being staged by top South West organisers Miss Ivy Events. Director Jo Macaskie said: ‘As a regular visitor to Italy, I wanted to bring a taste of this beautiful country to Tavistock! We love the amazing food, wine and lively nights out we enjoy there, and my aim is to spread the Italian love!’

The Italian Experience Evening takes place on Saturday, February 29th between 6pm and 9pm.

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More information: Entry costs £6 to include a glass of Prosecco or Italian beer (all food is extra on the evening) Tickets are limited to ensure guaranteed seating. Book online at www.missivyevents.co.uk

February 28

Ladies’ Swap Shop & Pamper Evening

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Enjoy a night out with a difference at Glenholt’s first ever Swap Shop of ladies’ clothing, which is being held at St Anne’s Church, Glenholt.

Come along and swap your outfits, shoes, handbags and accessories while relaxing with coffee and nibbles at a special pamper evening, which runs between 7pm and 9pm.

Entry costs just £5 with all proceeds going to the Glenholt Heartbeat Defibrillator Appeal.

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WHAT’S ON EXTRA

March 14 & 15

Mind, Body, Spirit & Craft Fair One of the largest events of its kind in the South West, the Mind, Body, Spirit and Craft Fair takes place over two days at The Woolwell Centre.

There will be more than 65 stalls, including psychics and mediums from all over the UK providing Tarot, Mediumship, Angel Cards, Animal Communication and Aura Photography. A variety of healers will also attend including Reiki, Shiatsu, Energy Healing, Reflexology, there will be a Shaman and Hypnotherapist plus a visionary artist selling amazing prints. Local businesses will have stalls and you will also be able to browse through a wonderful

selection of crafts including jewellery, Aloe Vera products, scarves, handbags, hand crafted glassware, aromatherapy oils and products, handmade cards, native American products, crystals, fairies, angels, Buddhas, Organite crystals, Himalayan salt, meditation CDs, woodcraft and much more.

Free talks and demonstrations will be held throughout the weekend on subjects such as animal communication and mediumship.

The fair is hosted by Psychic Medium Nikki Kitt and is open between 11am and 4pm on both days.

March 21-29

as a Sporting programme.

These three fixtures are as follows: Plymouth Argyle vs Exeter City (March 21st, 3pm); Plymouth Albion vs Richmond (March 28th, 3pm) and Plymouth Raiders vs Manchester Giants (March 29th, 3pm) A spokesman for Mayflower Sport Week said: ‘Throughout this period, we will also be working with community sporting groups who will be putting on themed events that are boosted by the branding of the overarching events.

‘We will be offering incentives and reduced ticket costings for these events and also some ‘golden tickets’ to prize winners on social media, which will enable someone to access all three fixtures, live, by accessing the hashtag #M400Sport.’

Mayflower Sport Week

Mayflower Sport Week 2020 is a series of events which will engage thousands of Plymouth people in both spectator sporting occasions and community-based provisions.

The three professional sports clubs within the city; Plymouth Argyle, Plymouth Albion and Plymouth Raiders all host home fixtures during these dates and there will be a visual and active presence at all of these,

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More information: To find out more about Mayflower Sport Week, or the much more diverse Sport & Wellbeing Programme co-ordinated by Argyle Community Trust during 2020, please visit www.m400sport.co.uk or contact one of the team at mayflower400@pafc.co.uk

unique wedding cakes

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See our community website www.dartmoorlinks.co.uk

41

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March 28

WHAT’S ON EXTRA

Working Life on Dartmoor Men’s Day Out

PICTURE: © Dianne Jane Giles Photography/mrwhitespawprints

A stunning exhibition of carefully selected photos reflecting working life on Dartmoor is on show at the High Moorland Visitor Centre at Princetown until March 25.

The photograghs were taken by award-winning photographer Dianne Jane Giles, who moved to Tavistock in 2015. Dianne has had work published in national magazines and in the 2016 BBC Countryfile Calendar.

She said she was ‘thrilled’ to be exhibiting at the visitor centre and chose the subjects to capture after thinking about the trades, crafts and activities taking place on the moor.

Dianne feels the exhibitions shows a side of Dartmoor that’s rarely seen - she also hopes the photos reveal something intimate and a ‘behind the scenes sense’ of the people who live and work here.

One of Plymouth’s best-loved charity events is back for 2020, with a multitude of men set to get together to stride the streets, enjoy banter with their mates and show their support for the vital work of St Luke’s Hospice.

Men’s Day Out, on Saturday, March 28th, is a charity walk with a difference: A guys-only gathering giving men the opportunity for a great day out with the boys, walking a 12km route through Plymouth city centre which takes them past some of Plymouth’s most famous sights, including The Barbican and Plymouth Hoe waterfront. They’ll then enjoy a well-earned pasty and pint, returning to Albion’s ground in time to see the club players in action.

Powered by IU Energy, the event will see up to 2,000 men – many in fancy dress – out in force to raise funds for the specialist, end-of-life care given by St Luke’s across Plymouth and surrounding areas. Among them will be those walking in memory of loved ones cared for by the charity at home, in hospital or at the specialist unit at Turnchapel.

Other fundraising events taking place to support St Luke’s this year include a skydive on March 21st, the popular Midnight Walk for ladies on July 11th and a Great Wall of China Trek between November 6th and 14th. An information evening regarding the trek will be held on February 11th.

Nina Wearne, community and events fundraising manager at St Luke’s, said: ‘Whether you take part in Men’s Day Out or Midnight Walk as a personal challenge or to celebrate the life of someone special, please know that St Luke’s could not do what they do without the support from you, our kind-hearted community. Perhaps this is your first time, or maybe it’s an event you enjoy year after year; these events are a fantastic way to have loads of fun whilst making a vital difference for local families.’

More information: Go to www.stlukes-hospice.org.uk/get-involved

See our community website www.dartmoorlinks.co.uk

43

February 15

Seth Lakeman in concert Multi award-winning folk singer Seth Lakeman released his new album ‘A Pilgrim’s Tale’ on February 7th, in a year that marks four centuries since The Mayflower ship departed the UK. The album will be released amidst a selection of UK concerts in locations significant to the Mayflower tale, including London, Plymouth, Immingham and Harwich. This stirring and beautiful record is narrated by the actor Paul McGann and features a host of guest performers including Cara Dillon, Benji Kirkpatrick, Ben Nicholls and Seth’s father, Geoff Lakeman.

Seth plays St Andrew’s Church in Plymouth on Saturday, February 15th. See www.sethlakeman.co.uk for ticket links.

2020 marks the 400th anniversary of the Mayflower ship setting off to the Americas. The ship carried British and Dutch passengers with hopes of fresh settlement, and who were famously met by the Wampanoag first nation tribe upon their arrival.

Seth said: ‘I didn’t have far to go for inspiration. The Mayflower Steps, on Plymouth’s cobbled Barbican streets are 20 minutes away from me. I fished from this quay as a boy, sang songs on tall ships tied up here and played music in just about every old sailors’ pub in this Elizabethan quarter.’

Inspiration for the project came when Seth was on tour with Robert Plant, and paid a visit to the Plymouth Plantation in Massachusetts to talk to the Wampanoag that still reside in the area. It didn’t take long for the songs to form upon his return to England.

‘After I travelled home from the “New World” to Plymouth, everything happened in a quite mystical way,’ said Seth. ‘The songs came together so speedily and with

exactly the vibe I wanted, and we recorded in a very short time in my studio at home on Dartmoor.’

To supplement the recordings, a between-song narration was written by associate director of Plymouth’s Theatre Royal, Nick Stimson, and read by Paul McGann.

Seth was elated to have the prestigious actor on board: ‘As we finished the album another quite magical thing happened, when Paul agreed to voice the narration between the tracks on the record. He pitched it perfectly.’

Released by BMG A Pilgrim’s Tale is available to preorder from listnin.co/SethLakeman-APilgrimsTale.

A big thank you!

Meavy based Dartmoor Border Morris have paid tribute to everyone who came to Tavistock on Saturday, November 16th and kindly gave to the BBC Children in Need appeal.

With 210 Morris performers in Tavistock dancing all day, they collected £1,760, with every penny going to the cause. Despite near blizzard conditions two days beforehand, Pudsey Bear attended and did not disappoint. Plans for Pudsey Day number seven are already in hand for November, so watch this space.

A big thank you to Tavistock Wharf, the Pannier Market, Bob’s East End Café and Dartmoor Brewery for their support.

EXPLORE THE WORLD & SHOOT THE STARS Documentary Photographer @harryborden After studying Photography with us, Harry’s lens has captured figures ranging from the Spice Girls to Jeff Goldblum and Giorgio Armani.

OPEN DAYS 08 FEB / 28 MAR / 13 JUN plymouthart.ac.uk/apply 44

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February 16

The Riviera Ramblers

The Riviera Ramblers is a hot rhythm band formed and led by John Shillito on trumpet, with a line-up to facilitate a swinging ‘Hot Club’ feel.

A bandleader since the late 1950s and a brilliant trumpeter, John has brought his vast experience to bear in forming this latest band with its slightly unusual line-up. Also playing is clarinetist Zoe Lambeth generating a full-bodied tone and an effortlessly swinging saxophone style in her role as reed player, Zoe also has an unique vocal delivery. John and Zoe are joined by highly experienced trombone player Bob Martin, bassist Pete Furnish, John Whitlock on banjo/guitar and Dale Whitlock, also on guitar. Much of the band’s repertoire originates from the Swing era of the 1930s and 40s. The players craft their free and easy melodic and rhythmic music with care and warmth, all the time relating to,

February 22

Beth Hart Grammy nominated singersongwriter Beth Hart, who released her latest album War In My Mind in September following a stunning sold out performance at the Royal Albert Hall, heads to Plymouth Pavilions in February. In a music industry full of glossy production and airbrushed photoshoots, this is one artist who throws down her cards, shares her darkest secrets and invites you to join her for the ride. The sleeve shot of Beth from War In My Mind, pounding a piano below her own personal stormcloud, is a fitting

MUSIC & ART and sharing fun with, their audiences. John and Zoe add vocals, while the whole ensemble makes engaging listening and an enticement to dance.

The Riviera Ramblers will be performing at The Royal British Legion Club, Tailyour Road, Crownhill, PL6 5DH at 7.30pm on Sunday, February 16th.

Tickets: On the door, visitors £10, members £8 and students £5.

More information: Visit www.plymouth-jazz-club.org.uk or call ✆ 01752 774343

representation of new material that hits the listener like a force of nature.

With her latest work, this songwriter has made a record that bares her soul. She wears her heart on her sleeve, and makes no apology for it.

‘When we did the photoshoot for this new album, it was the first time that I said, “No makeup and no airbrushing”,’ said Beth.

‘It was just neat to be 47 and not trying to be young and competitive and all of these things that I’ve always felt like I’m supposed to be. On this record, something told me, just let it be what it is.’

See Beth Hart at Plymouth Pavilions on Saturday, February 22.

Tickets: Go to www.plymouthpavilions.

Wildwood Arts are proud to present:

Artists for All Seasons Exhibition 21st February-14th March An exhibition of four artists who work with equal dexterity across a range of mediums from oils and watercolour to lithographs, ceramics and glass. View over 50 years of their work in a unique opportunity to enjoy the diverse mediums of true artistic brilliance.Includes Carol Leith, Richard Slater RI, Arthur Homeshaw RWA and Allin Braun.

DARTMOOR’S ART GALLERY

Representing the region’s finest artists Chapel Lane, Horrabridge, Yelverton PL20 7SP 01822 258529 See our community website www.dartmoorlinks.co.uk

info@wildwoodartsdartmoor.co.uk www.wildwoodartsdartmoor.co.uk 45

March 14

Hags: A Musical Extravanganza In Bideford in 1682, the final witch trial in Britain took place. Three women were accused of witchcraft, tried and hanged.

Now fast forward to the present day and name one female magician . . . pretty tricky. But tonight, three fearless females are climbing out of their boxes, shaking off the sequins and investigating what really happened in a small town in North Devon 300 years ago.

Packed full of magic tricks, physical comedy and live music, the magiciennes of Scratchworks Theatre Company explore the witch-hunt mania that swept the country and sent hundreds of innocent women to the gallows.

With mind-blowing illusions, stupendous stunts and the occasional disappearing rabbit, ‘Hags’ sets the record straight for thousands of falsely accused women with all the joy, silliness and spectacle these three can muster.

This production at The Barbican Theatre, Plymouth was commissioned by Beaford’s Made in Devon Fund and is also supported by Arts Council England and Barbican Theatre Plymouth.

Barbican Theatre is behind the Mayflower Visitor Centre in Plymouth, opposite the Mayflower Steps and The Prawn.

More Information: Show starts at 7.30pm.

Tickets: Box office ✆ 01752 267131 or email info@barbicantheatre.co.uk 46

March 3 - 7

An Inspector Calls

Written at the end of the Second World War and set before the First, ‘An Inspector Calls’ is a compelling and haunting thriller. The story begins when the mysterious Inspector Goole calls unexpectedly on the prosperous Birling family home, shattering their peaceful family dinner party with his investigations into the death of a young woman.

JB Priestley’s brilliantly constructed masterpiece powerfully dramatises the dangers of casual capitalism’s cruelty, complacency and hypocrisy.

The play is directed by the world-renowned theatre and film director Stephen Daldry. Stephen’s many theatre credits include ‘The Audience’, ‘Skylight’ and ‘Billy Elliot The Musical’. His film credits include ‘The Hours’, ‘The Reader’ and ‘Billy Elliot’, all of which earned him Academy Award nominations for Best Director.

Most recently he has directed several episodes of the Netflix smash hit series ‘The Crown’, for which he is also Producer.

Since 1992, Daldry’s production of ‘An Inspector Calls’ has won a total of 19 major awards including four Tony Awards and three Olivier Awards. It has played to more than 4 million theatregoers worldwide and is the most internationally-lauded production in the National Theatre’s history.

More Information: You can see ‘An Inspector Calls’ at Plymouth Theatre Royal between March 3rd and 7th.

Tickets: For tickets go to www.theatreroyal.com

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Beautiful local scenes Tavistock Picture Framing Gallery is privileged to boast a stunning collection of local scenes, ranging from the current UK best seller Rozanne Bell, to the atmospheric moorland scenes of Victorian artist F J Widgery.

Roz’s collection of local commissions, including the view of The Barbican in Plymouth (as pictured on the front cover) and West Street and Abbey Bridge in Tavistock, have been some of the artist’s favourite locations to paint.

The layers of resin and glitter have been inspired by the family memories created in the South West, as four of

See our community website www.dartmoorlinks.co.uk

MUSIC & ART her children attended the local university - such as the beautiful sunny beach scenes based on walks in Padstow and the Rock area.

Frederick John Widgery was inspired to paint by his father William Widgery, who also produced stunning artwork of the local area. The artist became the Mayor of Exeter in 1903, as well as an honorary Freeman and Alderman of Exeter. In his emotive depictions he captures the spirit of the moors in an elegant and traditional manner.

Tavistock Picture Framing Gallery has a huge selection of original pieces and limited editions, and the dedicated team can also help customers choose the perfect framing.

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MUSIC & ART

March 24-28

The Pirates of Penzance The Pirates of Penzance return to Plymouth this March!

The international-award-winning Plymouth Gilbert and Sullivan Theatre Productions, who in recent years have presented ‘Chess – The Musical’, Monty Python’s ‘Spamalot’ and ‘Evita’, will present this new production at The Devonport Playhouse from March 24th – 28th with evening performances at 7-30pm and a Saturday matinee at 2-30pm.

As with many of Gilbert and Sullivan’s plots, the story is topsy turvy, but in summary: There are ‘The Pirates’, who take pity on orphans, and are really peers of the realm. There’s a 21-year-old called Freddy, who has sworn to put ‘The Pirates’ behind bars and is really only five. Oh, and there are policemen, whose lot is not a happy one, and are hopeless at foiling felons . . . Not to forget a very modern major-general making a famous appearance of course!

‘Pirates’ is packed full of famous songs, including ‘Oh, better far to live and die’, ‘Climbing over Rocky Mountain’, and ‘I am the very model of a modern Major-General’.

Productions of ‘The Pirates of Penzance’ have won the

May 16

The countdown has well and truly begun to the opening of The Box in Plymouth - the largest museum and art gallery to open in the UK this year - on Saturday, May 16th.

A stunning programme has been lined up featuring major contemporary artists and an internationally important

The Box

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Tony Award for Best Revival and the Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Musical, spawning many imitations and a 1983 film adaptation starring Kevin Kline and Angela Lansbury. Pirates remains one of the most popular of shows today, taking its place alongside The Mikado and HMS Pinafore as cornerstones of musical theatre.

This new and fresh production will be directed by Gareth Davies and choreographed by Carole Wilson with music direction from Paul Foster, who will be faithful to Sullivan’s original music, with some innovative twists to the text, staging and characters, as the story is set in 1957! Andy Martin will design and create a set with a different vision of the famous show - with 1950s-style costumes and dance, full chorus and professional orchestra, this will be a show to remember...

Tickets: The box office is now open and tickets are available from www.pgstheatre.com or by calling ✆ 01752 842197.

exhibition about the Mayflower, telling the story of one of the world’s most significant journeys.

‘Mayflower 400: Legend and Legacy’ is the national commemorative exhibition for the Mayflower 400 anniversary. It’s Plymouth’s largest loans exhibition ever and has been co-curated with the Wampanoag Advisory Committee to Plymouth 400 in the USA. Forget everything you thought you knew about the Mayflower. The exhibition will debunk myths and explore how one ship connects four nations over 400 years.

Powerful perspectives will be shared through images, ideas and objects including the first Bible to be printed in America, the last known record of the Mayflower, the oldest existing state document of New England, drawings, diaries, maps, plans and portraits, and the first piece of Wampanoag art commissioned by the city.

It will feature 300 items, on loan from 100 museums, libraries and archives from around the world, including Native American items from The National Museum of the American Indian and the Harvard Peabody collection.

The exhibition will be free to Plymouth residents and under 18s. Tickets for non-residents will be just £5.

The Box’s up and coming contemporary art programme will feature world class artists, from Antony Gormley and Leonor Antunes to Kehinde Wiley and Eva Grubinger.

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49

FOOD & DRINK

Give the gift of chocolate this Valentine’s Day C

hocolate is traditionally the gift to give on Valentine’s Day - it’s no wonder that sales of the sweet stuff skyrocket at this time of year.

Chocolate is supposed to symbolise affection, attraction, deep love, luxury, passion and sensuality. Some scientists have undertaken various studies and seen that chocolate is also an aphrodisiac, increasing desire and energy levels and releasing endorphins.

The connection between love and chocolate goes back a long way it’s written that the Aztec emperor Montezuma chewed on cocoa beans ahead of romantic encounters.

And according to historians, the Victorians viewed chocolate as a weapon of seduction. The elaborate packaging on an expensive box of chocolates was compared with the layers of clothing worn by upper class ladies of the time, etiquette books warning that a single woman should never accept a box of chocolates from a gentleman to whom they were not engaged.

Fast forward to the 21st century and chocolate will be the dessert of choice on many a Valentine’s Day menu. Celebrity chefs and owners of renowned Plymouth brasserie, Barbican Kitchen, James and Chris Tanner are self-confessed superfans when it comes to chocolate.

Having written their own recipe book, ‘For Chocolate Lovers’, it’s safe to say that they know what they’re talking about when it comes to crafting delicious dishes from the indulgent ingredient.

To celebrate Valentine’s Day, Chris and James share their go-to recipe for the ultimate decadent dessert.

50

Surprisingly easy to make, the Tanners’ tried and tested Chocolate Fondant boasts a smooth, melt in the

mouth texture and a rich, intense flavour – the perfect way to say ‘I love you’ this February 14th.

Chocolate Fondant Makes 6 Fondants Ingredients 125g plain chocolate 125g unsalted butter 4 free range eggs 75g castor sugar 50g self raising flour 1 tbsp cocoa powder plus extra for dusting 300ml whipping cream 1 vanilla pod 1 tbsp of icing sugar Method 1. Melt the chocolate and butter in a heatproof bowl placed over a saucepan of simmering water. When melted, stir slightly then leave to cool.

2. Pre-heat oven to 180c and lightly butter and flour six pudding basins in preparation. Whisk the eggs and sugar together until light and pale – then

double in volume using an electric hand whisk.

3.Next fold the egg mix into the cold chocolate. Sift in the flour and cocoa, folding it together. Spoon into the pudding basins and bake for 7 minutes until risen – keeping a close eye on them. Set aside on wire rack to cool slightly.

Cut the vanilla pods and scrape the seeds from them. Add to the cream and whip until it can form soft peaks. To serve, turn out the fondants, dust with cocoa powder and add a dollop of whipped cream. Enjoy!

Housed in the world-famous Plymouth Gin Distillery, the Barbican Kitchen offers a seasonal menu crafted by Chris and James Tanner. To find out more or to book visit www.barbicankitchen.com or call 01752 604448.

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Easter weekend - a wonderful time for food and wine!

E

aster is the perfect period to get together with family and friends for a fabulous Sunday lunch or evening meal - in fact the whole weekend provides an excuse for a bit of celebration, with the children home from school and two bank holidays to enjoy (providing you are fortunate enough to have the time off that is!)

Most wine experts agree that choosing a wine to go with a meal is all about balance. Strong, powerful wines match well with rich, flavoursome meals, whereas lighter wines will accompany more delicately flavoured dishes.

Roast lamb is one of the more traditional meals for Easter Sunday - many red wines go well with it such as Chianti or Cabernet Sauvignon, but how about trying a Rioja, particularly a Reserva, slightly more expensive but worth the extra cost.

If roast chicken or turkey is on the menu, a lighter,

fruitier red can be delicious - try a Pinot Noir. If you prefer a more traditional white wine with chicken, an un-oaked Chardonnay will work well.

If you are going down the fish route for your celebration meal, salmon pretty well always works with Chardonnay, particularly if a creamy sauce is involved. As an oily fish, it needs a wine with more body - if you don’t particularly like Chardonnay, why not try a white Rioja?

If you fancy a tipple with your Good Friday hot cross buns, what about a glass of Marsala?

And when it comes to Easter brunch - like scrambled eggs and smoked salmon or eggs Benedict - it’s bubbles every time, with Champagne if you are pushing the boat out, or cheaper alternatives like Spanish Cava or a French Cremant.

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A short walk under Woolwell

Ron Smith - Plymouth Ramblers

A circular walk that’s not far from the residential area START: Near Long Park Drive, Woolwell DISTANCE: About a mile and a half in total.

TIME: Approximately 45 minutes at an easy pace.

Local dog walkers are probably aware of the plethora of interesting paths that wind around and below Woolwell, between it and the River Plym a long way below. Here is a simple suggestion for a short walk immediately below the estate houses, yet in remote sloping woodland with only occasional views of houses peeking through the trees above. The essence is to follow a section of the old tramway that used to carry granite from Foggintor Quarry near Princetown down to Sutton Harbour for shipping out to London to build the old London Bridge etc. Of course Plymouth itself used this granite for features in the older buildings such as the Royal William Yard.

Leave the Tavistock road at the big Woolwell roundabout by Tescos. Turn right at the roundabout up the top, to enter Woolwell Road. Park anywhere you can after the first turn on the right (Long Park Drive) and before the second turn. Almost opposite the only turn on the left there is a green strip of land leading steeply down.

Follow this down and across a steep meadow until you drop onto a 52

track. Turn left, still downhill.

Almost at once you will cross the old tramway. To the right it would take you to the Glenholt Estate of Park Homes. This is part of another walk! Turn left onto the tramway. Notice the stone sleepers with holes to take the chairs for the old rails. Follow the tramway until there is a gently sloping meadow opening out on your right. Here the actual tramway is overgrown and effectively impassable, so you stay on the open meadow but follow the curve of the tramway until you step back onto it as the meadow gives way to more woodland.

Soon you will note a simple stone post about knee high on the left. On the sloping top is clearly engraved a figure 8; this is eight miles from Sutton Harbour. A little further on and you would be in a private farmyard, so here you leave the tramway and climb up left. Quite steep, but easy. You emerge at the top into a small park.

Go to the top right corner where a path between houses comes out onto a normal estate road.

Follow this, take the first left, turn right on the main road, left at the roundabout and you are at the end of Woolwell Road with your car shortly ahead. Of course if you live in Woolwell you won’t have driven and you probably know the tramway already.

This is part of a walk as used by Rambling groups. Perhaps you would like to join us exploring further both round here and further afield round Plymouth.

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WALK Start: Near Long Park Drive, Woolwell

Enjoy your walk!

Dartmoor Rambling Club Contact John Skinner ✆ 01752782454 or johnskinner@tinyworld.co.uk. Another group are the Plymouth Ramblers, website www.plymouthramblers.org.uk/ Both groups are very friendly and welcome new members who enjoy chatting as we walk together.

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Glimpses of

Roborough By local historian Paul Rendell

R

oborough, the village once known as ‘Jump’, took its name from the old term for the administrative unit that this part of Devon came under; the Hundred of Roborough.

Originally dating back to the Saxon days, by the Victorian period, the ‘hundred’ had been surpassed by other forms of administration. Today it is within the council district of South Hams and yet part of Roborough falls under the auspices of Plymouth City Council .

In 1850 Jump, as it was called then, was part of Bickleigh parish which covered an area of 2,980 acres and had a population of just 469 people. In White’s Devon, published 1850, the pub in Jump (Roborough) was called The Lopes Arms and the landlord was Jacob Lane. By 1921 the population had dropped, with the parish of Bickleigh, to just 305 people. This was possibly to due a number of mines closing down in the nearby Plym Valley.

In 1895, the post office was run by Richard Folland, the saddler was William George Halls and William Ware ran The Lopes Arms.

The pub was still serving drinks in 1930 when the landowner was Jason Roberts and other businesses in

the village included a blacksmith, carpenter and joiner, a wheelwright, cattle dealer and a shop keeper, but Kelly Directory does not state what type of shop he ran. There was a post office and stationer as well as a police station and Magistrates Court.

Roborough Flour Mill was situated on the eastern side of the main road to Tavistock, opposite the entrance to Roborough House. It was built there due to the close proximity of the Plymouth Leat. In 1825 the mill was owned by Sir Massey Lopes, on a 65-year lease which ran from 1825.

In September 1885, Plymouth Corporation brought the mill buildings and the adjoining land. It was never used again. A few years later the Plymouth Leat was abandoned when Burrator Reservoir was built as the water supplier for the city of Plymouth.

One important son of Roborough was the shoemaker, early trade unionist and radical politician George Odger, who was born in the village in 1813. Brought up in an impoverished family, he travelled to London in search of work, and ultimately became the first trades-unionist to stand for Parliament, the leader of the London Trades Council and the president of the First International Workingmen’s Association, an historically important organisation of socialist,

“ xx ”

54

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HISTORY communist, anarchist and working-class activists in which Karl Marx played a prominent role.

The Lopes family, descendants of Jamaican-born Tory Member of Parliament and Baronet of Sephardic-Jewish Portuguese origin Sir Manasseh Masseh Lopes, 1st Baronet, lived in Roborough and acquired the title Baron Roborough in the 20th century, after moving from nearby Maristow House on the River Tavy and before relocating to Gnaton, a smaller mansion on the coast near Noss Mayo.

Roborough Down, just north of the village, is the name given to the long stretch of undulating moorland over which the road to Yelverton and Tavistock passes and which is owned by the Maristow Estate. On the edge of the down, Roborough Reservoir was built in 1885 to replace the Plymouth Leat and water main from Burrator.

In 1908 a new water main was laid from this reservoir to Crownhill Reservoir at a cost £13,317 and the water engineer at the time was a Mr F Howarth. Roborough Reservoir is no longer there but has been replaced by the new, £60 million, state-of-the art Mayflower Water Treatment Works.

At one time the village had the Plymouth and Dartmoor Railway, Plymouth Leat and the Devonport Leat passing nearby.

Most people today do not visit the old ‘village’ and they think of Roborough as the Tesco supermarket or The George Hotel, now known as Toby Carvery, although it was once an important stage coach hotel.

Today Roborough village is bypassed by a duel carriageway as people head northwards to Dartmoor and Tavistock. Sadly a lot of the history of the place has been lost in time.

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55

TECH HELP

Create shortcuts and avoid scams!

If you like shortcuts on your desktop but cannot seem to create them in Windows 10, here’s how. Click on the search window or icon on the taskbar and type the name of the program you want. Right click on the suggested answer and choose ‘open file location’. Then right click on the icon of the program and choose ‘create shortcut’. You will then be asked if you want to create it on the desktop, click ‘yes’.

New telephone scams call with an automated voice purporting to be from Amazon and offering to renew your Prime membership for £39 - half the usual cost so it might be tempting! They ask you to press #1 and then a person tries to get you to start whichever device you use for the internet which means they are trying to get into your bank account.

There are also variations on this theme, for TV licensing, BT, Talktalk etc.

If you are frustrated by notifications from websites when you open Google Chrome then you have said ‘yes to notifications’ on one or multiple websites, so now you get them all the time. Go to the settings menu in Chrome, then ‘advanced’, then ‘site settings’ and ‘notifications’. Then click on the 3 dots and choose ‘remove’ for all the sites you have allowed, up to the jigsaw piece.

Ever had Outlook (the program that is part of Office) and now cannot access the data in an OST file? This is quite specific, but if it’s happened to you then all of your emails and addresses will have been lost. I CAN recover

them. It seems Microsoft changed the way Outlook sets up its files for the first time rather than using a PST file, they now use an OST file which is impossible to open without paying a third party for software to do so.

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We sell new PCs, laptops, tablets, printers, etc.

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TRADE SECRETS

Jason and Rachel Foster Beacon Glass & Glazing How did you start out in your industry?

Jason: I started working in a local glass and glazing shop on a Saturday morning aged 15. I then went on to join Pilkington Glass in 1996 where I met Rachel, who is now my wife and after our first child together, we went on to establish our own business in 2009.

Where are you based?

Beacon Glass & Glazing is based in Beacon Park, Plymouth and we deal with all aspects of glass and glazing, from supply only glass, window repairs & upgrades, shopfronts and cat flap installations.

Do you specialise in any particular type of project?

Rachel: We work with domestic customers and provide replacement failed sealed units (misted/foggy or steamed up unit replacement) PVC, aluminium and wooden glazing repairs, locks, hinges, handles and seals and solving most window and door problems. Occasionally windows may be beyond repair if this is the case they can offer a replacement window service.

Jason: We also carry out all aspects of commercial glazing including contracts with local schools, universities and hospitals and Joinery companies.

What is your favourite type of contract?

Jason: We enjoy working with all our

customers and helping them rectify their window and door problems. Team work is the key to a good day at Beacon Glass.

How do you work together?

Rachel: I answer the telephone calls and emails and deal with customer requests.

Jason: I lead the jobs and projects, making sure all works are carried out and completed to an excellent standard.

What changes have you seen in your industry recently?

Jason: In the last few years Double Glazing units have been manufactured to a higher quality to comply with European Standards, which include higher performance Eco friendly products, which when installed will actually save the customer money in the end and we are more than happy to provide this service to our customers.

Are you part of any industry body?

Jason: We are members of The Which?

Trusted Traders and also The Plymouth Buy With Confidence Scheme. We have received many testimonials from happy customers. Beacon Glass strives to achieve the highest standards of workmanship, customer service and satisfaction.

How would you sum up your company?

Rachel: Beacon Glass pride itself on its customer service and we offer a friendly professional service with no pushing

Jason and Rachel Foster

sales. We provide a local service in Plymouth and surrounding areas, including Tavistock, Dartmoor, East Cornwall, South West Devon and Ivybridge.

Do you have any special offers on at the moment?

Jason: To celebrate ten years in business, we are currently offering Free Planitherm Energy saving glass upgrade to customers on all glass installation orders.

More information: www.beaconglassandglazing.co.uk ✆ 01752 769832 / 07846 475217

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BATHROOMS & TILES By amanda - james