Plymouth Chronicle March West 2026

Daring to raise funds for Primrose Foundation!

Seven breast cancer thrivers – known as the Dare 2 Ladies – have raised nearly £6,000 for charity. They organised a fund-raising ball called 'Dare 2 – Dancing to Make a Difference' at the Duke of Cornwall Hotel with the total of £5,858 going to The Primrose Foundation.

Michelle Hull, one of the Dare 2 Ladies said: "The Dare 2 ladies were formed in 2018 after watching The Ladies Full Monty on ITV. We thought, we could do that and raise some money - so we did!

“Eight years later, we have raised just under £41,000 in total for The Primrose Foundation. We have organised four charity balls, learning burlesque routines, tap and ballroom dancing and Bollywood – and performed on the Palladium stage for

Britain’s Got Talent, meeting Ant & Dec in the process! But most importantly raising awareness.”

The money has funded a quiet room for patients, a bursary for a psychologist and put towards a new scanner. They are are currently working with Sam Maddock, trustee, to run The Primrose Foundation 'Get it off your Chest' community group in Plymouth and surrounding areas, where people can go along for a chat and a cuppa. More information on dates and venues. for the meetings can be found on the group's Facebook page. Michelle added: “We are all breast cancer thrivers and continue to feel passionately about giving something back –which we will continue to do, so watch this space!”

Stunning Snowdonia & Puffin Island

Departing Mon 15 Jun ‘26

The delights of North Wales await! Look forward to wildlife spotting on a Puffin Island cruise, discovering stunning Snowdonia and enjoying two heritage train journeys with spectacular views, from the country’s largest natural lake to its highest peak.

SO MUCH INCLUDED...

 Return coach travel from Plymouth, Saltash

 4 nights at the Beaufort Park Hotel, Mold (JG3 rating) with dinner & breakfast

 Entertainment some evenings

 Porterage

 Puffin Island cruise

 Heritage train journeys on the Snowdon Mountain Railway & the Bala Lake Railway

 Excursions to Llandudno & Snowdonia (Betws-y-Coed)

New group offering support in the wake of breast cancer diagnosis

A new support group has been set up in Plymouth to help those considering, facing or going through breast reconstruction following a breast cancer diagnosis or the discovery of a hereditary breast cancer gene.

The group has met regularly since its launch, with participants sharing with great enthusiasm and finding meeting other people in a similar situation incredibly useful.

The next Keeping Abreast Plymouth Support Group will take place on March 19 from 7pm to 9pm at Harewood House in Plympton. There is no need to book, just show up on the day.

There will be an opportunity to meet the group’s volunteers who have been through a similar experience and will be able to answer questions.

Reconstruction nurses Claudia and Katie from the Primrose Unit at Derriford Hospital will also be on hand to offer advice and support.

Reader travel

Steaming through the Peak District & Chatsworth House

Departing Mon 25 May ‘26

Revisit the golden age of rail on this captivating journey, as we board a vintage train and pass enchanting landscapes of the Peak District, discover Chatsworth House and Bakewell. We also visit Eyam, plus there’s the opportunity to explore Ashbourne.

SO MUCH INCLUDED...

 Return coach travel from Plymouth, Saltash

 4 nights at the Palace Hotel & Spa, Buxton (JG3 rating) with dinner & breakfast

 Heritage train journey on Peak Rail

 Excursions to Bakewell, Eyam & Chatsworth House

Optional excursion to Ashbourne (£12pp)

During the evening there will be a chance to see reallife reconstruction results, thanks to the Keeping Abreast Volunteers who are willing to show their reconstructed breasts to others.

Keeping Abreast is a national breast cancer reconstruction charity, with a team of volunteers who are willing to support others over the phone, by email or via WhatsApp.

Online support

There is also extensive online support available at www.keepingabreast.org.uk including a series of real-life reconstruction videos.

Support and volunteer officer Carolyn Atkins said: "Breast cancer patients are often anxious about their reconstruction surgery and so having the chance to meet others who have already been through this process and to ask them all about it provides reassurance and solidarity at what can be an emotional and worrying time."

Les Misérables: The Arena Concert Spectacular in Birmingham

Departing Sun 14 Jun ‘26

Grab your chance to experience the iconic musical score of Les Misérables at this critically acclaimed concert, showing in Birmingham for a limited time! Feel immersed in this compelling story, with timeless classics such as On My Own and I Dreamed A Dream.

SO MUCH INCLUDED...

 Return coach travel from Plymouth, Saltash

 Overnight stay at a selected hotel (JG3 or JG4 rating) with breakfast  Ticket to Les Misérables: The Arena Concert Spectacular at the Utilita Arena, Birmingham (Category 5, Block 4 Upper)  Free time in Stratford-upon-Avon

Theatre Royal's record-breaking festive appeal

After a festive season at Theatre Royal Plymouth (TRP), the charity has announced that its Festive Appeal 2025, has raised a record-breaking total of nearly £42,700.

This was an increase of more than 78 per cent from last year's total of £23,900. It also raised a further £12,240 from the Big Give Christmas Challenge and £1,365 from a pantomime-inspired Crowdfunder.

The extensive annual fundraising campaign was launched on at the beginning of November alongside such shows as The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe and Fawlty Towers, continuing throughout Dick Whittington, and shows on its smaller stages Raymond Briggs' Father Christmas and The Star Who Danced.

All proceeds raised will support young people from the local community in the year to come, with money from the Big Give specifically, going towards specific projects including launching TRP's brand new community initiative, Young Company – Our Space.

The new youth theatre group, which is also generously supported by the Maristow Charity, will be an extension of TRP's current Our Space and Young Company programmes that support children facing extreme challenges and disadvantage.

The programme will provide weekly term-time sessions for 15 participants, increasing to 40 children during school holidays, and allow them to explore creativity, develop new skills, build relationships and express themselves through drama.

The wider pot will support projects including Young Company Create, which hosts weekly theatre sessions for children and young people with disabilities, allowing them to build confidence within a close and safe community, and Playhouse, a national scheme that connects young people with scriptwriters and theatre makers and gives them the chance to perform on their local theatre's stages.

Last year, as part of Playhouse, seven primary schools from Devon and Cornwall took over TRP's Drum stage for an unforgettable week of performances, supported by the Festive Appeal alongside sponsorship from Princess Yachts. Director of Partnerships & Philanthropy at TRP, Lucy Howe, said: "We are incredibly grateful to our audiences and members who have so generously supported this year's appeal. I think the huge uplift we've seen this year is testament to the spirit of the people of Plymouth and the South West who are committed to making meaningful change for our shared community. Thank you to everyone who supported us."

Generous theatre goers donated via bucket collections and contactless payments at the theatre, made voluntary donations online, through the box office and added donations when purchasing tickets - all contributing to the lifechanging total achieved.

To stay up to date with all of Theatre Royal Plymouth's outreach work, visit www.theatreroyal.com

Three Plymouth schools have been formally commended by the Department for Education for the exceptional outcomes achieved by their disadvantaged pupils, placing them among the very best schools nationally.

Drake Primary Academy, Goosewell Primary Academy and Millbay Academy, all part of the Reach South Academy Trust, were praised for their strong performance at the end of the 2024/25 academic year.

The recognition highlights the impact of sustained ambition, high expectations, and the dedication of staff in ensuring that every child has the opportunity to succeed, regardless of background.

In a letter to each school, the Secretary of State for Education, Bridget Phillipson MP congratulated leaders and staff on the excellent outcomes achieved, noting that their performance places them among the strongest schools in the country for disadvantaged pupil attainment. The letter recognised the hard work of pupils and staff alike, and the culture of commitment that underpins success across the schools.

The commendation also acknowledged the role these schools now play as leaders in the education sector, encouraging them to share effective practice and support improvement across other schools.

Tom Leverage, chief executive of Reach South Academy Trust said: "This recognition from the Department for Education is a powerful endorsement of the work taking place every day in our schools.

“It reflects the commitment, professionalism, and moral purpose of our staff, and the ambition and resilience of our pupils. We are proud that Drake, Goosewell, and Millbay are being recognised in this way and we remain focused on ensuring that disadvantage never limits opportunity."

Send details of your event to info@ cornerstonevision.com and we will do our best to include them in Out and About. Unfortunately because of space limitations we are unable to publish details of regular meetings of groups and societies or similar organisations.

Beryl Cook: Pride and Joy

Until May 31

The Box presents an exhibition which marks 100 years since Beryl’s birth and will feature more than 80 works including iconic paintings and rarely seen treasures from The Box’s art collection, private lenders and the Cook family archives. Tuesdays to Sundays from 10am to 5pm. More details at www.theboxplymouth.com

Live Music Sundays

February and March

Steel Sunday Music every Sunday from 3pm to 5pm at the Steel Brew Co in Mills Bakery at the Royal William Yard. Free entry, so just go along, relax and enjoy the music.

Journeys with Mai

Until Jun 14

The Box presents a journey of discovery across four gallery spaces exploring the complex histories between Europe and the South Pacific. Centre stage will be 'Portrait of Mai' by Plympton-born Sir Joshua Reynolds – widely considered to be his finest work and a portrait of the first Polynesian person to visit Britain. Free admission, open 10am to 5pm Tuesday to Sunday and Bank Holiday Mondays. Closed on Easter Sunday. Details at www.theboxplymouth.com/events

Comedy@Argyle

Feb 26

A Press of Suspects present a side-splitting night of live comedy at Home Park featuring powerhouses of hilarity Ed Tripp and Mags McHugh. Doors open 7.30pm, show starts at 8pm. Tickets £12.50.

Plymouth Gang Show

Feb 26 to Feb 28

The Plymouth Scout & Guide Gang Show will be performing at The Devonport Playhouse at 7.30pm with a matinee on the Saturday at 2pm. Adults £12 concessions £10 For more information contact Andrew on 07810 880536 or go to www.ticketsource.co.uk/ plymouth-scout-and-guide-gang-show

John Kearns

Feb 27

Taskmaster star John Kearns brings his ‘Tilting at Windmills’ tour to the Quad Theatre on the Marjon Campus at 7.30pm. For details and tickets visit www. comicalentertainment.com

Blackbeard’s Tea Party

Feb 27

Folk-rock rebels Blackbeard’s Tea Party celebrate 10 years of their seminal album ‘Reprobates’ – a collection of stories about wrong’uns from history – at the Barbican Theatre from 8pm. They debuted material from the album during their now legendary appearance at Fairport’s Cropredy Convention, and it was the album that earned them thousands of new fans. Mixing sounds of traditional folk and classic rock, Blackbeard’s Tea Party look back to the album that reviewers called ‘a hell of a lot of fun’. Tickets and details from www.eventbrite.co.uk

Omid Djalili - Namaste

Feb 28

The Persian Comedy Powerhouse performs his critically acclaimed new show at the Quad Theatre on the Marjon campus at 8pm. Omid peacefully bows to his inner anger and unleashes a torrent of comedic vitriol on the current state of this dangerously messed up planet. Tickets and details from www. comicalentertainment.com

Good

Out and About

Your guide to events in the local community and beyond

Singer, actor, TV host and film star

Toyah is at The Quad Theatre on March 28 for an evening of songs and stories

William Yard on the first Sunday of every month from 10am to 5pm. Known for showcasing some of the region’s most talented artists and makers, the markets offer everything from tasty treats to handcrafted gifts. The monthly markets have been a staple of Royal William Yard’s event calendar for years, and have won event awards along the way. For details visit www.royalwilliamyard.com/

Faulty Towers at The Duke of Cornwall Mar 6 and Mar 7

A hilarious and interactive dining experiences like no other when the world of the iconic British comedy show, Faulty Towers, arrives at the historic Duke of Cornwall Hotel. Basil, Manuel and Sybil are in town – and they’re bringing a healthy dose of mayhem to Plymouth. Fully immersive, highly interactive and completely original, this is the show where anything can and usually does happen. For tickets visit www. eventbrite.co.uk and search for Faulty Towers.

Alisdar Beckett-King - King Of Crumbs

Mar 6

ABK is the crumbliest comedian in the game: a multiaward-winning stand-up comic and (occasionally) an internet sensation. ABK is appearing at the Quad Theatre on the Marjon campus at 8pm. Come vagabonds, come mountebanks, come coneycatchers and cutpurses and meet the King of Crumbs! As seen on Mock the Week and 8 out of 10 Cats Does Countdown. Tickets and details from www. comicalentertainment.com

Feel The Spirit

Mar 14

Plymouth University Choral Society sing John Rutter’s Feel the Spirit accompanied by Chamber Orchestra and Plymouth College Jazz Band. Venue St Andrew’s Church, Royal Parade at 7.30pm. Tickets £16 on the door or via www.uopcs.org.uk

Best of British Classics Concert

Mar 14

Plymouth Open Concert Orchestra, (formerly the University of Plymouth Orchestra), present ‘Best of British Classics’ themed music concert at the Levinsky Hall on the Plymouth University campus. Free entry. Children’s Concert from 3pm for approx. 1 hour - all welcome! Evening Concert doors open at 7pm. Concert begins at 7.30pm. Music chosen by Dan Francis, Music Director, to include: Vaughan WilliamsSomerset Rhapsody, Eric Coates - Calling All Workers, and Elgar - Chanson de Matin. Cash donations welcomed. Book free tickets via the POCO Facebook page. At the evening concert there will be a raffle and refreshments.

Plymouth Jazz Club

Mar 15

Featuring The Two Counties Jazz Band with trad jazz Fotonow movat the Royal British Legion Club, Crownhill from 7.30pm. Tickets £15 on the door, £12 for club members. Non-members welcome. For details see www.plymouth-jazz-club.com

Singing Day

Mar 21

Plymouth Phoenix Choir host a Singing Day ar St Peter’s Church, Wyndham Square from 10.45am to 4.30pm. Led by award-winning choral music specialist Rory McCleery. Cost £20 to include music to keep and light refreshments. For details visit www. plymouthphoenixchorale.org.

Easter Coffee Morning

Mar 21

St Boniface Hall, Percy Street, St Bureaux from 10am to 12 noon. Raffle, sales table and refreshments. All welcome.

Toy and Train Fair

Mar 22

Popular event organised by the Plymouth Diecast Club at Jan Cutting Healthy Living cente, Scott Business Park from 10am to 1pm. Entry £1, accompanied children free. Onsite parking, wheelchair friendly and cafe. Details from www.plymouthdiecastclub.co.uk

Live Classical Music

Mar 25

Plymouth Symphony Orchestra concert featuring renowned violinist Irene Duval at St Andrew’s Church, Royal Parade at 7.30pm. Tickets from wegottickets. com £16 in advance, £18 on the door or from Mannamead News, Eggbuckland Road. Details at www. plymouthsymphony.co.uk

Levowan Chamber Choir

Mar 27

Levowan Chamber Choir continues its 10th anniversary celebrations at St Peter & the Holy Apostles Church, Plymouth at 7.30pm. The choir will perform a selection of stunning motets by Karl Jenkins and our choice of individual pieces by Arnesen, Chilcott, McMillan, Hagenberg and more. Free entry with retiring collection. Reserve a seat at www.levowan.com

Choral Music Concert

Mar 28

Plymouth Philharmonic Choir and conductor Paul Foster present an evening of choral music with Mozart and Holster St Andrew’s Church at 7.30pm. Tickets £20 in advance, £22 on the door, students and U16s £5. Tickets at www.wegottickets.com/event/681844 or call 07453 312919. Further information at www. plymouthphilchoir.org

Spring Fair

Mar 28

Ford Park Cemetery Visitor Centre and Chapel from 10.30am to 1.30pm with free admission. Stalls, books, jewellery, home made cakes, crafts and much more, all at reasonable prices. Refreshments will be available. Money raised will go to the upkeep of the cemetery. If more information is required please contact the office on weekdays at 01752 665442 or email: office@fordpark-cemetery.org

An Evening with Toyah: Songs and Stories

Mar 28

Singer, actor, TV host and film star Toyah is hitting the road for an extensive UK tour in which she'll sing favourite hits and tell stories from her remarkable career and will be at The Quad Theatre on the Marjon campus. Tickets and timings from www. comicalentertainment.com

The Martin Dale Quartet

Mar 29

Jazz returns to Stoke Damerel Church in the form of the Martin Dale Quartet with a mix of jazz styles incorporating everything from Bach to Be-bop. Details at www.plymouthconcerts.com

Music of the Night Concert

Mar 31

The music of the night choir will be holding their spring concert on the theme of Colour My World – sky, land and sea – at Mount Gould Methodist Church at 7.30pm. Doors open at 6.45pm and tickets are £8 per adult and £4 per child. Details email motnchoir25@ gmail.com or call Paula Ingram on 07860354290

Chris McClausland - Yonks!

Mar 31 and Apr 1

Chris McCausland is hitting the road again with another masterclass in stand-up comedy that has literally been yonks in the making. His brand new show will be at the Quad Theatre on the Marjon campus in Plymouth. Chris will be presenting two shows each night. Tickets and timings from www. comicalentertainment.com

Bridal Pop Up Event

Apr 1 to Apr 11

Oxfam are staging a Pop Up bridal event at 44 Mutley Plain, Plymouth with new dresses priced from £19.99. Exclusive private dressing room available. Ideal for anyone planning a DIY, or boutique wedding on a budget. Many lovely dresses and outfits on sale - why wait for a wedding? Also plenty for to tempt designers, dress makers and fabric hunters. More details on Eventbrite at www.tinyurl.com/Oxfam-Bridal-Pop-Up

Saturday Sessions at Old Town Square

Apr 4

Enjoy live music with the Andy Quick Band at Old Town Square in Plymouth City Centre. Taking place outside Drake Circus get ready for live music and performances on the first Saturday of every month.

Easter Egg Hunt

Apr 4

Egg hunt for youngsters, fun outdoor games, cakes, snacks and hot drinks at Keyham Green Places, Renown Street, PL2 1NX from 1pm to 3pm. Free entry for all. To book a child’s place in the egg hunt email info@cropskgp.co.uk

Bowls Open Day

Apr 26

Outdoor lawn bowls open day at Devonport Park from 10.30am to 4pm. All are welcome to try out the sport and potentially join a club. Just wear some flat shoes and give it a go, bowls, it's social, good exercise and fun! For further information contact Gail on 07754296861

Indie Rock Festival

Jul 10 and 11

Rock’n’ roll promoters Sound Factory bring the largest indie rock festival to The Depo in Union Street. Headlining on Friday is Kyle Falconer, previously of The View and teen mod icons The Molotovs headlining on Saturday. Tickets at www.seetickets.com/event/ sound-factory-festival/the-depo/3557066

Send details of your event to info@ cornerstonevision.com and we will do our best to include them in Out and About. Unfortunately because of space limitations we are unable to publish details of regular meetings of groups and societies or similar organisations.

SPRING FAYRE

Saturday 28th March 2026

11am to 2pm

St Budeaux Church Community Hall

The Green, PL5 2HN Variety

Proceeds to Hall Development

A new Cabinet champion has been appointed to help drive Plymouth City Council's work to ensure Plymouth has a thriving night time economy.

Councillor Matt Smith, who represents Compton ward, will promote and champion work to align the key areas essential for a vibrant night time economy, including the hospitality sector, leisure, retail, arts, entertainment, culture and transport.

As a Cabinet champion, Councillor Smith will support the work of Councillor Sally Haydon, whose Cabinet portfolio includes responsibility for licensing and community safety, and Councillor Jemima Laing, whose portfolio includes responsibility for culture.

His role includes supporting the creation of a Night Time Economy Strategy for the city, which will be particularly important

supports those businesses. "Plymouth is growing, and to grow we need to attract people to move to our city. We won't do that unless our night time economy is thriving, and I'm really looking forward to doing all I can to ensure it is the best it can be."

Homeless charity

Path boosted by major support from NatWest

Path, the Plymouth homelessness charity has announced that NatWest's Plymouth branch has chosen it as their charity of the year.

Over the coming year, NatWest staff will be supporting Path in a variety of ways – from fundraising and volunteering initiatives as well as hosting events at the Plymouth branch. Colleagues will also share their skills and expertise by working directly with Path beneficiaries, offering budgeting support and financial advice. Together, Path and NatWest will also explore new and innovative fundraising ideas to help sustain the charity’s vital services.

The partnership grew from an initial connection made when a team from NatWest volunteered at Path's 30th Anniversary Gala in October last year. Inspired by the experience and the impact of Path's work, NatWest went on to raise an additional £2,500 in match funding for Path's Winter Appeal.

Hayley Everett, strategic lead on fundraising and communications at Path, said: "This partnership with NatWest is a fantastic example of how businesses and charities can work together in genuinely meaningful and mutually beneficial ways.

“Homelessness is a growing issue in our city, and the challenges people face are increasingly complex. By combining NatWest's skills, resources, and commitment with Path's frontline expertise, we can reach more people, strengthen our services, and create longerlasting change for those who need support most."

Emma Solomon, NatWest charity contact, added: "We are absolutely delighted to be working with Path this year. Spending time with the team at the 30th Anniversary Gala really brought home both the scale of homelessness in Plymouth and the difference Path makes every single day.

“This partnership allows us not only to raise funds, but to actively contribute our time, skills, and knowledge in a way that supports individuals and strengthens our local community – something our team is incredibly passionate about."

• Meanwhile Path is inviting runners to join Team Path Power in the Plymouth Half Marathon and 10k on May 17. The charity is hoping that a team of up to 30 runners will take part to raise funds for Path.

Participants who commit to fundraising for the charity will receive 50 per cent off their race entry, a Path running vest or T-shirt to wear on race day, and ongoing support to help them reach their fundraising goals.

For information visit www.pathdevon.org/ plymouth-half-marathon.

Stoke vehicle thefts warning

Police have advised residents in Stoke to make sure their vehicles are secure after a number of thefts from cars in the area.

Thieves targeted vehicles in Somerset Place in one incident in early February when windows were smashed, vehicles searched and loose change stolen.

A police spokesperson said: "Please secure vehicles at all times and if possible remove all items of value any cash."

Anyone with information or CCTV footage in the area is asked to contact police via the Devon & Cornwall Police website or by calling 101 quoting 50260028407

Pioneering police dog Tweed in running for top Cruft's honour

A Plymouth police officer and his pioneering partner are set to tread the famous green carpet at Crufts – where the latter has been shortlisted for one of its most sought-after prizes.

PC Martin King, 59, is a digital dog handler with Devon and Cornwall Police, with whom he has worked for 38 years.

He is also the owner of a dog who has had a massive impact in the world of crime-fighting in 10-year-old springer spaniel Tweed, who in 2017 became the first canine in Europe to be trained to detect digital devices.

The pair are due for retirement this year, but in the time since she completed her training Tweed and PC King have conducted countless searches that has led to the conviction of dangerous criminals and help safeguard vulnerable people.

Her work led to her being nominated for this year’s Royal Kennel Club Hero Dog Award and she was recently named as one of the five finalists, taking her place in the Extraordinary Life of a Working Dog category.

Martin said: “We were the first force within the UK to train dogs to detect digital devices. Tweed was selected to start the training back in 2016 along with a black labrador called Rob.

“We did the training, went operational and then for the first 12-18 months I spent all my time travelling the length and breadth

of the country doing terrorism jobs, paedophile jobs, murders, all jobs where they were looking for technology.

“Off the success of everything Tweed achieved travelling around the country, a lot of dogs are now trained around the country, so everyone benefitted from it.

“But Tweed was the one that pioneered it and she even went across to Amsterdam to assist with a warrant over there, helped out the NCA (National Crime Agency), and they’ve adopted their own dogs now.”

Tweed’s brave and pioneering work out in the field masks a timid

personality that came as a result of some mistreatment in her previous home, with Martin having to work hard to bring her out of her shell.

He took her through her training after his force’s head of forensics saw an article in a magazine about digitally-trained dogs in the United States and they soon formed quite the team.

Martin said: “She is a little darling. It’s strange, really, because I had a real affinity with this little dog who is a delicate little soul.

“When I work with her, I’ve got to screech like a Bee Gee all the time, because if I use a deep voice, she doesn’t respond well.

“She’s had something of a chequered upbringing; she was brought up in a shed, spent a lot of time in a crate and she was clearly chastised about being on furniture.

“Of course, the things we want the dogs to do is dependent on them jumping on furniture and do

searches, and they’ve got to think for themselves, really.

“I spent a lot of time in the first few months of training her getting her out of this routine of not being on furniture and her having a nervous wee.

“I had a real affinity with her, she knew what I was thinking and I knew what she was thinking, and it’s just morphed from there and gone from strength to strength.”

Martin now has two dogs under his control at Devon and Cornwall Police, with eight-year-old chocolate sprocker Ellie part of their crimefighting unit.

But it is Tweed who could be about to have her career honoured in the grand manner, with the Hero Dog Award decided by a public vote before the winner is announced on the final day of Crufts.

Despite recovering from recent surgery for prostate cancer, Martin is determined to take her up to the NEC in Birmingham. He said: “I was absolutely blown away because it was a bolt out of the blue, in all honesty.

“I will always sing the praises of my dogs to the high heavens – I’ve got two dogs trained to find digital devices and combined since May 2017 they’ve done 1,208 warrants, so they stay mega busy.

“The work is relentless, but Tweed over the years has found stuff buried in gardens, in zip-lock bags that she’s dug up and with a guy that was convicted in Kent of terrorism she found his phone down a drain on a housing estate, so she will always be a winner in my mind.

“It was just really, really nice for someone to nominate us for the award.”

Jaguar enthusiasts raise funds for MNDA

Members of the local Jaguar Enthusiasts' Club have raised over £800 for the Plymouth branch of the Motor Neurone Disease Association.

The JEC Tamar Region chose MNDA as their charity of the year in 2025 and raised £839 through various club activities.

The cheque was presented to Roger Box, group lead and finance officer for MNDA Plymouth, by Brian Jones, chairman of the JEC Tamar Region.

Steve Rundle, who is a member of JEC Tamar Region, is also Carers' Champion for MNDA Plymouth. He understands how devastating the disease is as his own wife has MND and he is her main carer.

Steve commented: "Our support group is vital as it is difficult to find help. However, through talking to each other we find diverse ways to campaign for what we need and raise awareness of MND.

"Every day matters. It's a disease which takes hold quickly and many people die within 12 months of their diagnosis and before they get the help they need, which is why our group is important. We can give help and advice to others who may not know where to turn."

Roger Box added: "Unfortunately, if local donations went through official channels and via

it would take too long to come to us. It would be too late for some of our members who've been waiting a long time for essential equipment and support.

"However, fundraising by our local Plymouth branch means we can get the money to those who need it urgently, and they can benefit from whatever adaptation they need, giving them a better quality of life, which for some is greatly shortened.

"Over a 12-month period we could easily spend £10,000. This is a huge amount, so every donation, whether large or small, is very well received."

New dental clinic to provide emergency help

A new £5 million dental education practice has opened in Plymouth's city centre and will provide treatment to people in urgent need of help.

Led by the University of Plymouth, the clinic sees aspiring dentists and dental therapists caring for patients without an NHS dentist who are suffering with pain, infection or trauma, by appointment only with referral via NHS 111. It dramatically increases capacity in Plymouth, treating patients five days a week and offering up to 12,000 NHS dental appointments a year.

The clinic is run by university subsidiary Peninsula Dental Social Enterprise (PDSE), and enables final-year students from its Peninsula Dental School to work alongside specialists and other qualified clinicians to offer high-quality care. Work on the development began just over a year ago, as PDSE took a 20-year lease on Plymouth City Council's former First Stop Shop in New George Street.

And the opening follows cross-party calls from Plymouth's MPs to increase the number of dental students at the university.

Professor Ewen McColl, head of Plymouth

University’s Peninsula Dental School, said: "Our state-of-the-art dental education practice is the result of many years' hard work and a long-held aspiration to provide significantly more urgent dental care and oral healthcare in the heart of our home city.

"Plymouth graduates are renowned in the workplace, not only for their caring manner and high-quality training, but also for the levels of hands-on clinical experience they have when they qualify.

"Our new world-class practice allows specialist and qualified dentists to work with undergraduate and postgraduate students; together they will provide outstanding patient care in an accessible high street setting.

“And, by working with some of the patients who are in most need of treatment, all of them will broaden their experience across a wide range of clinical disciplines, such as oral surgery and emergency dental care.”

Councillor Mary Aspinall, Plymouth City Council’s Cabinet Member for Health and Adult Social Care and Chair of the Plymouth Dental Taskforce said:

“This is a big day for the city centre and for the Dental Task Force. This new facility will enable trainee dentists to get hands-on experience right in the heart of the city centre and will hopefully encourage them to join the NHS once they have finished their course.

“One of our key priorities as a council is to work with our partners to provide better access to dentistry and to start tackling the dental desert. Training more dentists here in Plymouth is a huge step in the right direction.”

Ellie Orum is a newly qualified dentist from the university who is working at the Dental Education Practice as part of her foundation training.

Originally from Plymouth herself, she said: “It really feels like I’m coming full circle, back to treat patients on behalf of the organisation where I

learned my skills.

“I went into dentistry as I wanted a career staying in the South West, and I’m really passionate about offering urgent care. When I was at school, I originally wanted to be a lawyer, then decided to swap one of my A Levels to Chemistry and apply for dentistry. I remember having patient contact from early on in my degree and it makes a huge difference in having the skills and confidence to go and treat people.

“I’m proud to be associated with a university that’s making a difference for local people, and hope the new facility will go some way to helping more of those who really need it.”

SEND SUPPORT PROGRESS IN PLYMOUTH IS PRAISED

Plymouth's SEND services have been praised by Ofsted and the Care Quality Commission (CQC) following a recent monitoring inspection, which found clear progress across the Local Area Partnership's work to improve support for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities.

Supporting children and young people with SEND is a shared priority for the whole city, not just one organisation. Inspectors found that Plymouth City Council, NHS Devon, Livewell Southwest, local schools and the University of Plymouth are working closely together to make services more connected and effective and that this united approach is genuinely improving children's day-to-day experiences.

The report highlights how partners across education, health and care have changed how they work, with children and young people now playing a much stronger role in shaping services. Inspectors described a clear shift towards a more joined up, child centred approach that has helped families access support earlier, strengthened inclusion in schools and improved how the most vulnerable children are supported.

They also praised new ways of listening to young people, better early help for families, and closer collaboration between schools and health services - all contributing to more consistent, timely and compassionate support. Inspectors also note a significant drop in exclusions of children with SEND and stronger oversight of those with complex needs.

Councillor Sally Cresswell, Plymouth City Council Cabinet Member for Education, Skills and Apprenticeships, said: "This inspection was an opportunity for us to demonstrate the huge amount of work that we've done over the last two years to drive forward improvements for children, young people and families with SEND.

"This is an important moment for Plymouth, because the inspectors have recognised the huge effort being made across our whole partnership, not just the Council, but the NHS, Livewell, schools, colleges, the Parent Carer Forum and many others. Their insight and challenge have been vital in helping us work differently and put children at the heart of what we do.

"Families are beginning to feel the benefit of those changes, whether that's getting support earlier, feeling more included in their school community or having their voices heard more clearly. We know there is more to do, but this report shows that, together, we are moving in the right direction."

Claire Paddon from Plymouth Parent Carer Voice, added: ”We are happy with the positive outcome from the monitoring inspection by Ofsted and the CQC. We are pleased to hear about the ongoing work that is being done across the partnership to continue to improve the outcomes for the children and young people with SEND in Plymouth.

We are glad to be part of the local area partnership and delighted that the inspectors took the time to speak with parent carers in online meetings and through email responses to their requests for information. A huge thank you to all of the PPCV team and parent carers who took the time to participate and have their voices heard.”

Spectacularly successful year for Groovement!

A Plymouth dance school is celebrating an outstanding year of success in 2025.

The award-winning Groovement Project Dance Company – which operates from New George Street – collected over 400 trophies at competitions across England and Wales, including 11 British Champion street dance titles and an impressive 52 first place finishes. They were also awarded the title of Street House Championships Top Scoring Dance School in the UK for the 2023-24 season.

On top of the school’s competition success, they also supplied the official dance squad for the Super League Basketball Finals, taking a team of talented young dancers from Plymouth to perform at the basketball finals in the London O2 Arena, Birmingham Utilita Arena and Nottingham Motorpoint Arena in 2025.

The team has already returned to Birmingham this year and will be performing at Manchester's AO Arena and the London O2 Arena later in 2026.

The company's international reach continued to grow. Last year, they took a team of 12 students to Los Angeles to train at the world-renowned dance studios and perform at some iconic venues, including Disneyland and Universal Studios.

This summer, one team and two soloists will travel to Dublin after qualifying for the prestigious Dance World Cup, where they will represent Team England against dancers from across the globe.

Beyond performance and competition,

The Groovement Project is also home to the GP Agency, which organised 42 professional castings for young performers in Plymouth in 2025 alone.

Success stories include alumni, Amy Shakerley, being cast in James Arthur's most recent series of music videos, alongside four of their dancers performing in the Theatre Royal Plymouth's Christmas pantomime!

However, Groovement is more than its medals and major arenas – at its heart, it is a community.

The studio provides a safe and supportive space where young people across Plymouth can socialise, build confidence, form friendships and express themselves creatively. In recognition of its impact, the company was named one of four Devon finalists in the BBC Make a Difference Awards.

Parents describe the studio as ‘a lovely and nurturing environment’ where ‘the dance teachers truly care about every individual child.’

In 2025 they taught at over 2160 sessions at their studios for over 300 different dancers and performers aged from four years to 50 plus.

There is the option of over 20 different dance styles, and they have something for

ROYAL NAVY VETERAN IS LORD MAYOR DESIGNATE

Councillor Kevin Sproston, who represents the Budshead Ward, has been named the Lord Mayor Designate for 2026/27.

The recommendation will be put forward at the next Full Council meeting on March 16 before it is fully agreed.

Kevin joined the Royal Navy at the age of 16 and went on to serve for 20 years.

Throughout his naval career and beyond, he has demonstrated a strong commitment to Plymouth, from establishing several community enterprises, being a former south west Project Manager for National Neighbourhood Watch, and launched Keyham Neighbourhood Watch, the only Royal recognised scheme in the south west.

In addition to his service and community work, Kevin was nominated for two Plymouth Armed Forces Awards in 2021, becoming a finalist for the Community Champion Award,

and received the Queen's Award for Voluntary Service in 2022/23.

Councillor Sproston has been a Councillor since May 2023.

Councillor Sproston said: "It is a huge honour to be chosen to be the Lord Mayor Designate, I'm really looking forward to continuing strengthening communities, and supporting local charities.

"It was a privilege to serve alongside incredible people during my naval career, and those experiences continue to inspire my commitment to this city and its communities."

Councillor Kathy Watkin, current Lord Mayor of Plymouth added: "Kevin is committed to this city, through his community led work to his career in the Royal Navy and will continue championing the communities.

"I am pleased to hear that he will be Lord Mayor Designate."

Twenty years after first joining Plymouth RNLI, volunteer Steve Bennetts continues to serve the local community as Second Coxswain, marking two decades of commitment, experience and dedication to saving lives at sea.

After joining Plymouth RNLI Lifeboat Station in 2006, Steve quickly became an integral part of the volunteer crew. At the time, he approached his employer about volunteering and received full support to carry a pager alongside his working life. That understanding and flexibility have continued throughout his 20 years of service.

Over the course of his volunteering, Steve has launched on service more than 650 times, aided over 870 people and spent in excess of 1,000 hours at sea, with many more hours spent on exercise and training to ensure the crew remain ready to respond whenever the call for help comes.

Steve initially served on both the inshore and all-weather lifeboats before progressing through a number of operational roles at the station, supporting crew training and development over several years.

He later passed out as coxswain on Plymouth's Severn class all-weather lifeboat. The coxswain is the most senior role at sea, with overall responsibility for the lifeboat, crew and decisionmaking during a service. His first service in the role involved assisting a fishing vessel aground on Mountbatten breakwater on an outgoing tide. Since then, he has led the crew on numerous shouts and training exercises in a wide range of conditions, always maintaining the high standards expected of RNLI volunteers.

Reflecting on his 20 years of service, Steve said: “Growing up in Saltash, we always had a small family boat and spent many happy times on the water. As an adult I moved to Plymouth for work but continued spending time afloat with my parents.

“My dad was a volunteer firefighter for 30 years, and growing up watching him run off to help others made me realise I wanted that same sense

of camaraderie in my own life. Volunteering with Plymouth RNLI gave me the chance to get on the water while also doing my part to help other seagoers. I approached my boss about volunteering and, although he was surprised at first, I was fully supported, and I've not looked back since.

“I joined thinking I would just stay as crew on the inshore and all-weather lifeboats, but I was given the opportunity to progress to ILB helm and later to senior helm. That role was incredibly rewarding, particularly helping new crew reach the point where they could be passed out as competent crew members or helms.

“One real highlight was being trusted to helm the Atlantic 75 lifeboat Millennium Forester for its renaming ceremony. There have been many memorable services on the inshore lifeboat, including a shout in Whitsand Bay, veering to assist a couple cut off by the tide, which is still talked about at the station today.

“Although being senior helm was very rewarding, I also began training to become a coxswain on the Severn class all-weather lifeboat. It was an incredible opportunity but came with new challenges and responsibilities.

“With the help and guidance of coxswains past and present, including Dave Milford, Sean Marshall and Neil Humphrey, I was passed out as a coxswain in November 2016. My first service came soon after, assisting a beam trawler aground on Mountbatten breakwater, and since then I've taken part in many services and exercises in a wide range of conditions, all of which have been enjoyable and rewarding.

“Being part of Plymouth RNLI means being part of a greater family who will go out of their way for anyone who needs it. I've made many lifelong friends from being part of the crew and even met my wife as a result of it.

"Although volunteering for the RNLI is what I want to do, it would not be possible without the support of family and work colleagues. I'm grateful for all the support and understanding given by work over the years, but the impact on family life has been huge. I cannot thank my wife enough for her support, understanding, missed days out, sleepless nights and being randomly abandoned over the years.”

Neil Humphrey, station coxswain said: “Over two decades, Steve has consistently put others first, responding at all hours, in all conditions, with no expectation of thanks or reward. His commitment reflects the very best of volunteer lifesaving: quiet professionalism, reliability and an unwavering sense of duty.

“While operational records highlight the scale of his contribution, they only tell part of the story. What truly stands out is the experience gained through years of hard work and determination and the influence that comes from simply being there, year after year, for fellow crew members and for the public.

“Steve's service has made a real and lasting difference to countless people, many of whom will never know his name, but whose lives have been shaped by the dedication of volunteers like him.

“I would like to express my sincere thanks to Steve for 20 years of commitment, professionalism and service, an achievement that is greatly valued and deeply respected.”

Nigel Gray, Lifeboat operations manager added: “Steve has been a constant of calm and skill during my time at the station. His dedication to Plymouth

FINANCIAL PLANNING FIRM IS ACQUIRED

A Plymouth-based independent financial planning advisory firm has been acquired by Titan Wealth, one of the country's fastest-growing and largest national financial advice businesses.

Sound Financial Management, which is based in Lockyer Street was founded in 1997 by former Royal Marine Adam Pollard, the company's current managing director. Since its foundation Sound Financial has grown to become of the leading independent financial planners in the South West, handling client assets of £600 million.

Titan Wealth's assets under advice and management total £44 billion following the acquisition of Sound Financial.

Sound Financial has a diversified service offering, including personal financial planning, investment management, retirement and pension planning, as well as business financial strategies and wealth and personal protection. The business operates within a growing market, benefitting from long-term client relationships in the region. The acquisition will add regional scale to Titan Wealth and enhances its proposition through an expanded client base and additional adviser experience. Under Adam Pollard's leadership, with support of directors Paul Meatyard and Stephen Murphy, Sound Financial manages an extensive book of business, with around 5,000 active advice clients. The team is made up of a further eight highly qualified financial advisers, who bring 87 years of advisory experience between them, supported by 16 administrators and paraplanners, and six back-office staff. Adam Pollard said: "Becoming part of the Titan Wealth team opens up access to the business's comprehensive range of in-house services, including discretionary asset management, investment solutions, and advanced technology platforms enhancing our existing client service proposition.

“All of this is directed at delivering better outcomes for our clients, who remain at the heart of everything we do."

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Views sought on plans for improvements and upgrades to city's major road network

Residents are being asked for their views on proposed upgrades to Plymouth's Major Road Network (MRN).

The MRN runs between the A38 junctions at Weston Mills and Marsh Mills and via St Budeaux Bypass, Wolseley and Alma Roads, through the city centre, and on to Embankment Road, providing an arterial vein in the city's road network and connecting many local neighbourhoods to key employment and retail areas.

The effectiveness of the roads along this route, and its various junctions, is not just vital to movement across the city, but also in connecting Plymouth to the wider region.

Improvements are focused around three key sections along the route – Marsh Mills Roundabout, Embankment Road and the St Budeaux Bypass – and includes lane widening, junction capacity upgrades and new facilities for pedestrians and cyclists.

The public consultation began early in February and will run for a six week period with a series of in person events as well as an online survey.

Councillor John Stephens, Cabinet Member for Strategic Planning and Transport, said: "I am really pleased to share the initial plans for the Major Road Network with residents and gain valuable feedback before we work up a more detailed design.

"This route is really key for a number of reasons, but as important as growth and having a reliable relief route for the A38 is, the primary benefit of these improvements is a better experience for motorists, cyclists and pedestrians.

"I look forward to speaking to residents across the six weeks of the consultation."

Why does the MRN need a makeover?

The MRN carries large volumes of traffic, leading to frequent congestion and delays making residents late for work, school and appointments and stops them getting home on time. It also delays buses and reduces people's confidence in taking the bus.

The MRN provides an alternative route for when there is disruption on the A38 but currently lacks the capacity to be able to undertake this role effectively.

Many of the current footways and cycleways need improvement, particularly for people who commute on foot or pedal at busy times – some sections of path are too narrow, others have poor surfaces. There are some sections where crossing the road is difficult.

The Plym Estuary runs alongside the MRN and the main railway line at Embankment Road. There is a need to extend the existing flood defences to reduce the risk of flooding to road and rail infrastructure as well as residential properties.

What's in the plans?

To address this, improvements will focus on providing enhanced capacity to reduce delays for road users, enhanced pedestrian and cycle connectivity and better bus priority. The plans also include new flood alleviation measures to increase the protection of critical rail and road infrastructure and properties from the risk of flooding.

Proposals focus on St Budeaux Bypass as the key gateway on the west and for travel to the Dockyard, and Marsh Mills Roundabout and Embankment Road as the key gateway to the city from the east.

The key elements of the scheme are:

• Extra lanes and longer merges to increase capacity and better separate out different movements

• Upgrading existing poor walkways and cycleways to provide wider, high-quality facilities with better connectivity

• Formalising crossing points with push buttons to improve road safety as traffic volumes increase

• New bus priority measures to get buses through junctions quicker at busier times

• Removal of the low redundant rail bridge on Embankment Road (Seagull Bridge) to allow the higher double deck heavy goods vehicles to use the route

• New section of flood defence wall along the Embankment. To view the plans, fill in a short questionnaire or sign up to receive regular email updates on the scheme visit www.plymouth. gov.uk/MRN The deadline for views is March 20.

The Box at No 10!

World leaders and VIP visitors will be introduced to works of art from The Box following its selection as Museum in Residence at 10 Downing Street for 2026.

A partnership with the Government Art Collection will see nine paintings from The Box displayed in Downing Street throughout the year. The works have been chosen for the stories they tell about British innovation, resilience and creativity through Plymouth’s unique lens.

In return, the Box will host art from the Government Art Collection this summer, including works by artists such as Alvaro Barrington, Barbara Hepworth and Alberta Whittle.

The prestigious partnership with the Government Art Collection will see nine paintings from The Box displayed in Downing Street throughout the year, introducing world leaders, government officials, and distinguished visitors to the breadth of Plymouth’s acclaimed art collection.

Victoria Pomery, CEO of The Box, said: “This is an extraordinary moment for Plymouth and The Box. To have highlights from our collections displayed at Number 10 recognises that Britain’s Ocean City has stories of genuine national significance.

“From the Eddystone Lighthouse a triumph of British engineering that made global maritime trade safer, to Stanley

Spencer's vision of post-war Britain, these works prove that Plymouth isn’t peripheral to British history; it’s been central to it.”

Councillor Jemima Laing, Deputy Leader of Plymouth City Council, said: “Five years ago we made a bold decision to invest in culture when many cities were cutting back.

“Today, The Box represents Plymouth at the very heart of government. This appointment validates our belief that world-class culture can thrive outside London while remaining deeply rooted in community. The Box is ‘locally loved, nationally known’ and now internationally showcased.”

'Live at the Amphitheatre' music events

A new programme of live events will launch at Plymouth's new city centre Amphitheatre this spring, bringing festival-style music, emerging artists and theatre to the heart of the city.

From April to September, Live at the Amphitheatre will host a monthly music event on the second Saturday of each month, running from late afternoon into early evening.

The programme builds on the success of Saturday Sessions in Old Town Square, which will return this year on the first Saturday of each month from April to September, starting on April 4.

The new Amphitheatre programme will feature a mix of established touring acts, genre-led music programming and emerging local talent. Confirmed artists include Chainska Brassika, Echo Town, Kizamba and Badcore Horns, delivering a high-energy festival-style brass and party sound, alongside swing and Latin live music curated by Pogo Events.

The programme will also showcase new and emerging Plymouth-based musicians, selected through the Plymouth City Centre New Music 2026 initiative.

The events are delivered by Plymouth City Centre Company, working in partnership with Plymouth Culture, Pogo Events and Andy Quick Music, and are designed to animate the new public space, attract audiences into the city

centre and support Plymouth's growing music scene. They are sponsored by Moxy Plymouth, the Millbay-based hotel.

Peter Adams, Captain of Moxy Plymouth, said: "Moxy hotels are created to be in and of the community, and supporting creative events like these is at the heart of what we do. Plymouth has an incredible creative scene, and we're proud to stand alongside Plymouth City Council and our partners to help showcase that talent, support the city's cultural momentum, and back Plymouth's journey

toward UK City of Culture 2029."

Steve Hughes, chief executive of Plymouth City Centre Company, said: "The Amphitheatre has been created as a new gathering space for the city, and this programme is about bringing it to life with music, culture and shared experiences. "These events will attract audiences into the city centre, support local talent and help create a vibrant atmosphere throughout the summer months."

Full event listings and updates are available via www.visitplymouth.co.uk

Defence Minister highlights Plymouth's vital role in the UK's defence and security

Luke Pollard MP joined Rebecca Smith MP, senior Royal Navy, industry and civic representatives in welcoming Lord Coaker, Minister of State at the Ministry of Defence, to Plymouth for a major visit to Devonport Naval Base and key defence and industry sites across the city.

The visit included a full tour of the naval base, briefings on operational requirements and current infrastructure construction, and a viewing platform visit overlooking 5 Basin to discuss future Royal Navy support and long-term investment in the dockyard.

Lord Coaker also visited South Yard to discuss its future use and regeneration potential, before attending a Defence Readiness and Devonport Limited (DRDL) update covering Babcock delivery, skills and employment, the ‘Triple Helix’ partnership with the Plymouth University, and future regional opportunities.

The Minister’s visit also marked the successful launch of Team Plymouth, whose collaborative approach is already delivering tangible results for defence, industry and the city.

The Minister's programme included a city tour and a roundtable discussion at The Box with defence, civic and industry leaders to discuss Plymouth's strategic importance to UK security and resilience.

Lord Coaker said: "Plymouth plays a crucial role in the United Kingdom's defence and security, and it was a privilege to see first-hand the dedication of service personnel, civilian staff and industry partners at HMNB Devonport.

"The strength of our defence capability depends not only on operational readiness, but also on strong industrial partnerships, resilient infrastructure and close international cooperation.

"Devonport's contribution to the Royal

Navy and to the wider defence enterprise is significant, and I look forward to continuing to work with local leaders to support this vital national asset."

Luke Pollard MP said: "It was a pleasure to welcome Lord Coaker to Plymouth and to showcase the vital work taking place at HMNB Devonport and across our city.

"Devonport is at the heart of Britain's defence, supporting the Royal Navy, sustaining highly skilled jobs and strengthening our national security.

"This visit was an important opportunity to underline Plymouth's central role in the UK's defence capability and the need for continued investment in infrastructure, skills and resilience."

Rebecca Smith MP added: “Minister Coaker's visit to the Naval Base provided

Cyclist Peter branches out for marathon fund raiser

A Nationwide Building Society worker from Plymouth is cycling to every branch across Devon and Cornwall later this month to raise funds for charity.

Peter Smith, a customer representative at the branch in Armada Way will cover around 400 kilometres between February 25 and 27. His goal is to raise £2,000 as part of his fundraising efforts for the London Marathon on April 26, which he is running in support of the Kinetic Foundation.

Peter chose the Kinetic Foundation because of its dedication to helping young people access sport and education – values that align closely with the Nationwide, which is committed to supporting local communities and maintaining face-to-face service. This is reflected in the company’s branch promise to keep all Nationwide and Virgin Money branches open until at least 2030. Sport has played a significant role in Peter's life, and partnering with a charity that champions youth development felt like a natural fit for him.

The Kinetic Foundation is an innovative

charity which helps young people who live in the most

areas of the UK.

West Country Hawks wheelchair rugby club growth boosted by taster session

The growth of the West Country Hawks Wheelchair Rugby Club has received a boost with a taster session for would-be new members in Plymouth after teaming up with a national charity.

The event, staged at Plymouth Life Centre, was sponsored by Enable Law and jointly delivered alongside charity partners from the Limbless Association, bringing together players, supporters, families and first-time participants from across the region.

Wheelchair rugby – often described as a thrilling blend of rugby, basketball, ice hockey and American Football – proved a perfect showcase for the Hawks, who support disabled athletes throughout Devon, Cornwall and Somerset.

The day also highlighted the vital work of the Limbless Association, which provides practical and emotional support to amputees before and after amputation, helping individuals rebuild confidence, independence and quality of life.

For West Country Hawks coach and chairman Adam Simmons, the atmosphere on the day spoke for itself.

marine autonomy sector.

“The city and the surrounding area already play an incredible role in the defence of the nation, and the National Centre for Marine Autonomy is an exciting development that it is important we maximise.”

The visit also included a working breakfast and a working supper with senior Royal Navy, industry and civic representatives

Discussions focused on ensuring Devonport continues to meet the operational needs of the Royal Navy while strengthening the city's role in defence diplomacy, industrial collaboration and long-term resilience.

"The atmosphere said it all and everyone had a great time," said Adam. "There were smiles, laughter and a real buzz on court all day. Whether people were playing for the first time, returning to the sport, or simply watching, everyone felt involved."

Those values were echoed by solicitors from Enable Law after they swapped briefing papers for battle-ready wheelchairs when they joined an action-packed wheelchair rugby session.

Enable Law partner Michelle Biddulph and solicitor Katherine Moyse left the office behind to take part in the lively introductory session. It allowed them to experience first-hand the intensity, skill and excitement of one of the UK's fastest-growing adaptive sports, in a show of support for disability sport across the South West.

Michelle, who leads the Enable Law’s clinical negligence team and is based at firm’s Exeter office, said: "Wheelchair rugby is clearly fast-paced, inclusive and hugely empowering and the energy on and off the sports court was incredible.

"There was plenty of laughter, plenty of tries, and a real sense of community as everyone came together to celebrate the sport. I loved getting out on court, it's so much fun, and it's brilliant to see it going from strength to strength here in the South West."

Bristol-based Katherine, a serious personal injuries specialist, added: "Everyone at Enable Law is incredibly proud to support both the West Country Hawks and the Limbless Association. They are invaluable organisations making a real difference to people's lives.

"We received such a warm welcome and really valued the chance to engage with players, families and volunteers.

“One Hawks player told me how she had suffered an amputation, become isolated at home and had reluctantly gone along to a Hawks session and fell in love with wheelchair rugby.

“It had given her a new outlook on life and that kind of progression shows just how powerful days like this can be in terms of opening doors and creating new opportunities."

With its mix of elite sport, grassroots inclusion and strong community spirit, the event demonstrated the growing impact wheelchair rugby is having across the region – and the importance of partnerships in helping more people discover sport, confidence and connection.

The West Country Hawks are keen to hear from new players and volunteers, whether people want to try wheelchair rugby for the first time, return to sport after injury or amputation, or support sessions and events behind the scenes. No previous experience is needed, just enthusiasm and a willingness to get involved.

Anyone interested in finding out more can visit the West Country Hawks website at www.hawkswheelchairrugby.co.uk

New Plymouth event creating a safe space for women to talk menopause

A new community event launching in Plymouth aims to break the silence around menopause and support women through one of the most significant yet often misunderstood stages of life.

Chat About the Change, which is taking place on Thursday February 26 at YMCA Plymouth, is a welcoming, informative session designed for women experiencing perimenopause, menopause, and postmenopause.

The event will offer expert guidance, practical support, and the opportunity to connect with others in a relaxed and supportive environment.Menopause can have a profound impact on confidence, wellbeing, and everyday life, yet many women feel unable to talk openly about their experiences. Chat About the Change has been created to change that.

"So many women tell us they feel they're expected to just 'get on with it' during menopause," said Gemma Barriball, from YMCA Plymouth. "This event is about creating a safe, welcoming space where women can feel heard, supported, and empowered with reliable information without judgement."

The session will be led by the Three Wise Women, a specialist panel bringing together decades of experience supporting women through hormonal change. The panel includes life coach Alison Theaker, homeopathic counsellor Anne Hope, and holistic GP and menopause specialist Dr Johanneke Kodde.

Menopause isn't something to be feared or endured in silence," said Dr Kodde. "It's a profound transition that affects women physically, emotionally, and mentally. With the right understanding and support,

it can become a time of clarity, strength, and renewal."

The event will feature expert-led talks, an interactive Q&A where questions can be asked openly or confidentially, and time for women to connect with others who may be having similar experiences. Free refreshments will also be provided.

"When women come together and share their experiences, something powerful happens," added Alison Theaker. "Confidence grows, fear reduces, and women start to reconnect with who they are becoming and not who they used to be."

Drawing on over 25 years of experience working with women's hormones, Anne Hope highlights the importance of emotional support alongside physical understanding. "Hormonal change affects far more than our bodies," she said. "Having space to talk openly about emotions, identity, and wellbeing is just as important as understanding symptoms and that's what this event offers."

The Three Wise Women believe menopause is an extraordinarily important stage of life, offering opportunities for growth, creativity, and personal development. Through Chat About the Change, they aim to remove fear, explain what is happening and why, and help women embrace menopause as a time of transformation discovering what they describe as the 'alter ego' of life: a fuller, more creative version of themselves.

There are two sessions: 9am to 11am and 12 noon to 2pm. Cost is £5 per person, with all proceeds donated to YMCA Plymouth. Places are limited so early booking is recommended. To book a place or for further information, contact: gemma.barriball@ymcaplymouth.org.uk

(Please state preferred session time.)

Locals to have their say on Devon's future

Residents across Plymouth, Exeter and the whole of Devon are being asked to help shape the county's future as the Government launches its consultation on Local Government Reorganisation (LGR).

Five proposals have been submitted in response to the Government's call for clearer, more streamlined structures to replace Devon's current two tier system with a new set of unitary councils.

Among these is a joint submission from Plymouth City Council and Exeter City Council. The two cities have presented a single shared vision for a simpler, stronger and more efficient model of local government.

There is consensus across all Devon proposals that moving from the twotier system to unitary government is the right approach. The Plymouth and Exeter proposal sets out how this can be achieved through four councils, each able to focus on the particular needs of the communities they serve.

The current two-tier system can often be confusing, with responsibilities split between different authorities. The joint Plymouth/Exeter proposal aims to make things fairer, easier to navigate and more logical, with services designed around the way people actually live, work and travel across Devon.

The vision is for a structure that delivers clarity, reduces duplication and ensures decisions are made closer to the communities they affect.

Under the proposal, Devon would be served by four unitary councils, each with the scale and coherence to deliver high-quality services close to communities:

• An expanded Plymouth: Plymouth plus 13 parishes from South Hams, creating a stronger authority serving communities that already rely on the city for employment, education and healthcare and giving Plymouth the scale to compete nationally and drive growth.

• An expanded Exeter: Exeter plus 49 surrounding parishes from Teignbridge, East Devon and Mid Devon, forming a single unitary built around one of Britain's fastest growing cities, with the capacity to plan strategically for housing, transport and economic development.

• An expanded Torbay: Torbay plus 21 nearby parishes, continuing as an integrated authority with proven success in delivering joined up services, including nationally recognised children's services.

• Devon Coast and Countryside: A new council specifically designed for rural and coastal communities, tailored to the needs of dispersed populations, market towns and isolated areas.

The model has been shaped through extensive work by both councils and reflects a shared ambition for a more coherent, efficient and future-proofed system.

Plymouth and Exeter have put forward this proposal together because they believe a coherent four unitary approach to reorganisation will work better for Devon as a whole. Whichever proposal the Government selects, all councils will have a role in making the new system work effectively for the communities they serve.

For more information, or to take part in the Government's consultation, go to: www.devonLGR.co.uk The deadline for comments is midnight on March 26.

DRAKE PRIMARY PUPILS FOCUS ON MENTAL WELLBEING

Pupils at Drake Primary Academy, part of the Reach South Academy Trust, took part in a range of activities for Children's Mental Health Week.

This year's official theme, This is My Place, encourages pupils to think about belonging and how everyone can feel valued. The week included a special assembly exploring the theme, as well as five days of classroom activities, including creating personal maps to identify the people, places, and activities where they feel they belong.

The week's events were part of a UK-wide initiative led by the children's charity Place2Be, which aims to raise awareness of the importance of children and young people's mental health.

Drake Primary Academy also benefits from ongoing mental health support from Livewell Southwest, including workshops, focus groups, and one-to-one sessions for pupils needing extra help.

Livewell Southwest works with schools in Plymouth to embed a wholeschool approach to positive emotional health and wellbeing and provides an early intervention step for children who need extra support.

Jacqueline Stephens, executive headteacher at Drake Primary Academy, said: "Mental Health Week gaves our pupils the chance to reflect on what makes them feel included and valued. The activities support them in thinking about their own wellbeing and the importance of supporting one another."

Community party brings carers, clients and families together

At Plymouth Care, a not-for-profit care company, hosted a successful community party on at the Windmill Pub, bringing together carers, clients and families for a day of celebration, music, and connection.

The event welcomed over 100 attendees throughout the day, creating a lively and inclusive atmosphere that reflected the strong sense of community which At Plymouth Care supports.

Guests enjoyed the opportunity to socialise, share experiences, and celebrate the positive relationships built through their own care provider.

Live music played a central role in the celebrations, with performances from Liam Kingsley, Al Pritchard, and Sam Page Sings. Their music encouraged singing and dancing among attendees, highlighting the importance of music and movement in supporting wellbeing, confidence, and social connection.

The event demonstrated how creative activities such as singing, dancing and good food can bring people together across all ages and abilities, offering both emotional and physical benefits in a relaxed and welcoming environment.

The Windmill Pub was filled with energy, laughter, and a strong sense of togetherness throughout the day.

The preparation for this event has been driven by creativity, collaboration, and a strong commitment to making it as accessible for everyone despite limited financial resources. Rebecca Pannell and Kerry Hough as a team focused on delivering a meaningful experience without compromising quality.

Rebecca Pannell, registered manager for At Plymouth Care said: "Bringing all our staff and clients together created such a positive experience and allowed our little care community to truly come together.

“At Plymouth Care's aim has always been to provide a good standard of care, understand others, and ensure everyone feels included. Isolation and loneliness are a significant part of many of our clients' lives, and we really feel that we achieved something special with this party."

Lifelines

How Dave's years of pain and shame were washed away...

Life begins at 40 – or so the saying goes –and it was certainly true for former drug addict and petty criminal Dave Cross.

For the best part of four decades Dave’s life was a maelstrom of rejection, broken relationships, abuse, drugs, crime and prison.

Dave was born in Doncaster in 1952 and his life certainly didn’t have the best of starts. His mother gave birth to Dave at the age of 16 and she was immediately sent to a convent as many teenage mothers were at that time.

As a result Dave spent the first eight years of his life in a care home until he was fostered by a family in Harrogate.

Dave said: “They told me later that they didn’t really want me, but had been persuaded by the nuns to take me. They had a 12 year old son who was a bully and the couple were not very nice to me either.”

To his relief the arrangement came to an end at the age of 12 when the nuns arrived at the couple’s home and took Dave back to the boys’ home. “I was glad to be out of there and back with my mates,” he said.

Total strangers

A year or so later he was told his mother had arrived to collect him. It came as huge shock for Dave as he had always been told he was an orphan. “My mum was there with her husband Arthur and their five-year-old daughter - a half sister I never knew I had. It was all very confusing because they were total strangers and I felt no love at all from my mum.”

His mum and Arthur lived in Liverpool and it led to a life-long love for his favourite football team. “Arthur was a decent man and he used to take me to Anfield on a regular basis. It was a fantastic experience.”

Dave had by then also developed a love for music and to be in Liverpool in the 1960s with the Beatles and other famous groups of that time was special for teenager Dave.

But the good times ended when the family moved back to Doncaster and after leaving school at the age of 15, Dave got in with the wrong crowd and started to go off the rails. He was sent to detention centre for six months after stealing a car and on release he asked his mum if he could go back home to live.

“I had been pretty rebellious and she said she didn’t want me living with them and that she had been shamed for having got pregnant at the age of 15 and being forced into a convent when she was 16,” added Dave.

He ended up sleeping rough until he met a group of hippies who were squatting in a house in Doncaster and they invited me to join them. They introduced Dave to cannabis and other drugs and it was to have a dramatic effect on his life for the next 20 years or more. “I thought I had found what I was looking for,” said Dave. “Taking drugs gave me a big high, but it also led me into more serious crime to fund my habit.”

In his late teens Dave decided to hitch-hike to London and ended up with a group of squatters living in a squat. Over the following few years his drug taking escalated and most of his time was spent finding ways to get money to buy more drugs.

He spent several years in London and having learned to play the guitar joined a band, became a roadie and toured the country with a famous Canadian rock band called Rush.

His nomadic lifestyle took him to numerous locations including Cornwall, Wales and Amsterdam before he eventually ended up in Bristol in his late 20s. During the years in Bristol he resorted to crime, drug dealing and busking in the streets to fund his habit.

“I wasn’t a very good criminal and ended up being sent to prison three times. My life had become a lot, lot darker and self-destructive by then,” said Dave. “I couldn’t get off heroin and ended up as a small-time dealer. It was at the time of the riots in Bristol in 1980 and there were some pretty nasty things going on. A drug dealer friend of mine was found murdered in a skip and I ended up getting out of Bristol as it wasn’t a safe place to be.”

Dave had a friend in Cornwall, so he headed down to the West Country - and it was there that his life was to change dramatically.

Shortly after arriving in Cornwall, he and a friend went to a rave on Bodmin Moor and unbeknown to him Dave was about to meet his future wife Tina. “She was selling drugs and I bought some ecstasy from her and danced the night away. We spent a few months together before she kicked me out.”

Dave stayed in Cornwall and eventually found a flat in Camelford. “It was Christmas Eve and I had no food, no money and no drugs so life was at a very low ebb. But I heard that a church was giving away free Christmas lunches at the local library. I was an out-and-out atheist and hated Christmas, but it was a special time for a group of us.”

Dave then struck up a friendship with a local Christian man who played bass guitar and knowing that Dave had been a roadie in the past, asked if

he could help set up the sound system at his church the following morning.

“When I got there the sound system was already set up and a worship band were playing and people were singing with such joy and freedom,” said Dave. “The music was great and it was so alive.

“Then an older chap got up and started to share how much he loved Jesus and as he spoke something in my heart twanged. I could feel a presence, but I didn’t know what it was. Tears began to fall down my face followed by racking great sobs. I was sobbing so much there was a pool of water at my feet.

“I cried out ‘I’m sorry God, I didn’t know you were there, please forgive me.’ The years of pain and shame were released in that moment.”

Dave spoke to the pastor at the end of the service and told him something profound had happened to him. The pastor replied: “Alright then we’ll see you next week!’

Dave was still in contact with Tina, who was also living near Camelford and eventually moved in with her. Soon after, his Christian friend gave them tickets for the Cross Rhythms Festival at Okehampton. It was the summer of 1993 and thousands of people were at the event, which featured speakers from all over the world.

Turning point

It proved to be a turning point for both of them as they gave their lives to Jesus at the event and were freed from their dependence on drugs.

They married later that year and returned to the church in Camelford, determined to make up for all the lost years by doing good and helping others who were struggling with addiction or lifecontrolling issues.

After their own dramatic encounters with Jesus, Dave and Tina took every opportunity to share their testimonies in prisons, young offenders institutions, churches and at a variety of meetings, as well as attending Christian festivals to promote Cross Rhythms.

They both spent two years working for a

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Christian rehab centre on the outskirts of Okehampton before moving to Plymouth to join the team at the Shekinah Mission.

Dave later ran a course at Channings Wood Prison called Genesis, sharing his own story and helping prisoners to understand that they could have better way of life. He also trained as a drug counsellor at this time.

Based on the experience at Channings Wood he and Tina set up a house in Torquay for exprisoners to help them get their lives back in order. They then started a soup run for people on the streets, before taking on a large property in the centre of Torquay with the help of Lottery Funding to create Project 58, a drop-in centre for the homeless.

That project lasted for five years and later Dave became a support worker helping drug addicts, while Tina became the manager of a Domestic Abuse service.

“My life had become fulfilled and productive at last – thanks to God’s love and grace,” said Dave. Their Christian journey brought them back to Plymouth seven years ago and always wanting to help others, they became foster carers, before retiring recently. They attend Redeemer Church in St Budeaux and are actively involved in the work of the church.

Dave added: “Life is really good now, we have close friends we can depend on, a great church family and a lovely home in Ford - and it’s all thanks to God.”

Royal Marine takes on 360 mile endurance event in memory of friend and colleague

A Plymouth-based Royal Marine is taking on a gruelling endurance event to raise money in memory of a former friend and colleague who took his own life.

Royal Marine Ben Carson will set off on March 20 from Mount Edgcumbe to run the South West Coast Path all the way around Crownall via Lands End and on to Barnstaple in North Devon. He aims to run 30 miles a day, every day until the gruelling fundraiser is completed.

His original plan was to run between 18 and 24 miles a day for 19 days, covering the total distance of 362 miles – coinciding with the 362nd year of the Royal Marines. However, due to work commitments and manning issues he has had to reduce his timeline and increase the daily distance to 30 miles each day.

He is raising funds for Rock2Recovery in memory of his friend Lance Corporal Tim Burtwell, who took his own life last year. The charity helps helps military serving, ex-serving and blue light service personnel who are in mental health crisis and helps with suicide prevention.

Ben said: "It has been It has been difficult to come to terms with, as suicide by its nature is hard to understand or make sense of. I personally find meaning in going for a run and its really helped to clear my head when coming to terms with this tragedy.

“I’m hoping by running such a gruelling endurance event, to raise awareness around serving personnel and veterans mental health whilst raising money for a great cause who do their best to help our service men and women who are in crisis.”

Ben’s run will taking him along one of the UK’s most rugged and demanding trails. The route includes steep climbs, exposed coastal paths, unpredictable weather and thousands of metres of ascent and descent.

Ben has set himself a fund-raising target of £3,620 and has already raised more than half of that total. Donations can be made at www.sportsgiving. co.uk/sponsor/activity/endurance-running-event/ben-curson

Encouraging young readers

With 2026 designated as the National Year of Reading, a local charity is encouraging parents, grandparents and carers to take advantage of the array of children’s books available.

Plymouth Children’s Book Group is for anyone interested in finding out the best books to finding out about the best books to enjoy, read and recommend to young people today.

The charity is part of a national group, the FCBG, of about 20 groups, all volunteers, whose aim is to help children connect with books they like. The group has been around for over 30 years and has brought many children’s authors and illustrators to Plymouth schools and public events.

Hilarie Elder, chair of Plymouth Children’s Book Group said: “We continue to do that as well as have local story times in different areas and venues. Over 20 schools take part in the national Children’s Book Award the only book prize where children read and vote on all the new books publishers donate to us every year.

“We are a happy band willing to share our knowledge, arrange story times, book sales and donate books where needed.”

Anyone interested in participating in what the group does, or have ideas please send a message at plymouthchildrensbookgroup@hotmail.com

Outstanding apprentices

at City College Awards ceremony

City College Plymouth recognised the dedication and achievements of its apprentice and employer partners at the Apprenticeship Awards Ceremony held at Plymouth Argyle Football Club.

The special evening brought together apprentices, their families, college staff, employers and distinguished guests from the local business community to celebrate the success of the region's future workforce.

Opening with a lively performance by Ruby and Meredith, a talented music duo from the college, Jackie Grubb, chief executive of City College Plymouth, then welcomed guests, acknowledging the hard work and resilience demonstrated by apprentices across a range of industries.

The evening served as a celebration of the skills, dedication and value that the apprentice community bring to their workplaces, and as a strong reminder of the symbiotic relationship City College has with its employer partners.

Exceptional contributions

The apprentice awards ceremony concluded with the presentation of three special awards, recognising apprentices who have made exceptional contributions to their workplaces and the college community.

The Chief Executive's Award, presented by Jackie Grubb, was presented to Eve Smith, who was commended by Jackie for her focus and commitment during her apprenticeship. Jackie praised Eve's patience and pride in her work, describing it as ‘second to none’ and saying that Eve had ‘consistently surpassed expectations in every area.’

The Students' Union Award, presented by the college's Student Council chair, Liam Ashby, was awarded to Tilly Maddern for her strong work ethic, initiative, professionalism, and positive contribution to her team.

The Governors' Award was presented to Oliver Thomas, who was singled out and commended by college Governor Chris Saxby for being ‘skilled, committed, generous with his knowledge, and consistently exceptional.’

Speaking during the event, Jackie Grubb said: “There's nothing more rewarding than celebrating the successes of our wonderful apprentices, and I couldn't be prouder of the hard work our students have put in over the last 12 months.

“The awards are one of my favourite events of the year, but choosing winners has been incredibly difficult because every apprentice has been outstanding in their own way. Each one of them has shown something special, and their resilience, dedication, and passion are a powerful reminder of what education and professional growth can achieve."

Apprenticeship Award winners

Reflecting the diverse fabric of Plymouth’s community, the award recipients represented a wide range of ages and backgrounds:

• Advanced Automotive Apprentice of the Year - Charlie Adams

• Intermediate Business Apprentice of the Year - Tilly Maddern

• Advanced Business Apprentice of the Year - Cheryl Heckford

• Intermediate Construction Apprentice of the Year - Harley Mitchell

• Advanced Construction Apprentice of the Year - Oliver Thomas

• Higher Construction Apprentice of the Year - Thomas Hunt

• Advanced Digital Apprentice of the Year - Cody Richards

• Intermediate Engineering Apprentice of the Year

- Joseph Earnshaw

• Advanced Engineering Apprentice of the Year - Eve Smith

• Higher Engineering Apprentice of the Year - Joshua Hughes

• Intermediate Hair & Beauty Apprentice of the Year - Gemma Ryder

• Intermediate Health & Childhood Education Apprentice of the Year

- Victoria Wakeham

• Intermediate Hospitality Apprentice of the Year - Anna Mezhuieva

• Intermediate Science Apprentice of the Year - Poppy Payne

• Intermediate Sport, Health & Fitness Apprentice of the Year

- Alfie Cox

• Students' Union Award - Tilly Maddern

• Governors' Award - Oliver Thomas

• Chief Executive's Award - Eve Smith

Councillors' Column

Update from Councillor Jemima Laing

Celebrating culture and creativity

As cabinet member for Culture at Plymouth City Council I couldn't be prouder of the phenomenal success of Beryl Cook: Pride and Joy at the Box.

For more than 40 years, Beryl painted our city with warmth, humour, and genuine affection. She captured sailors on The Hoe, shoppers in the Market, drag queens in clubs and working-class women living vibrant lives.

While London critics dismissed her as ‘merely popular,’ Plymouth never stopped loving her. We knew what they didn’t: that celebrating ordinary people with dignity and joy is rather extraordinary.

The four life-size sculptures of Beryl’s characters which have appeared across the city are actively spreading that joy.

These aren’t just Instagram opportunities (though they absolutely are that). They’re saying: art belongs in our streets, not just behind gallery walls. Joy belongs everywhere. Plymouth belongs to everyone who lives here, works here, creates here. What makes this moment special isn’t just Beryl’s centenary or The Box’s ambition – it’s how it’s happening.

The sculptures emerged through a partnership between The Box and Theatre Royal Plymouth's TR2, two institutions recognising their strength in working together. The exhibition features loans from national institutions choosing to work with Plymouth because we’ve earned that respect. The Cook family has shared personal archives, trusting us to tell Beryl’s story properly.

At the same time we've had the announcement which has electrified the city: our bid for UK City of Culture 2029. The winner receives £10m plus transformational national attention.

The timing couldn’t be better. Plymouth really is ready to show what a coastal city can achieve when creativity sits at its heart. In Stoke we are celebrating the launch of our very own Community Poem created with Plymouth Laureate of Words R.C. Thomas – I’ve got a few lines in there myself, a wonderful, joyful process to be part of!

Here’s what connects Beryl’s exhibition (which is free), the sculptures, and the City of

Update from Councillor Tom Briars-Delve Work starts on Ford Hill improvements

When I first stood for election, we promised that road safety would be a top priority for our Stoke councillor team.

Since then, we’ve supported the delivery of a zebra crossing connecting Victoria Park and Stonehouse Creek, the city's first Safer School Street by Stuart Road Primary, and a new clearway to improve junction visibility on Paradise Road.

One of the community's biggest concerns, though, has been the busy junction at the top of Ford Hill and Molesworth Road. Knocking on doors in Milehouse, we heard from local families who don't feel confident about their children walking to school and older residents who are put off from visiting Stoke Village shops.

I must admit that I have similarly felt nervous rushing across with a pram when the traffic lights change.

Culture bid: they all understand that joy isn’t frivolous, it’s essential.

The sculptures bring that joy into public space. The City of Culture bid says we’re a city that celebrates creativity, that invests in culture, that believes everyone deserves access to art and opportunity.

We've kept making the case for a safer crossing there. It didn't progress under the previous administration. However, we're over the moon that the City Council has listened and designed a scheme with three 'green man' crossings, energy efficient lighting and new street signs. I've also asked for the road to be resurfaced at the same time to minimise disruption.

It's finally happening. You may have noticed highways markings sprayed on nearby pavements. More recently, signs have been put up confirming work will begin on February 23.

Update from Councillor Sally Creswell

Giving children the best start

As well as serving as the local councillor for Stoke Ward, I am the Cabinet Member for Education, Skills and Apprenticeships.

Before this role, I spent nearly 30 years working in primary education as a teacher, deputy headteacher, assistant headteacher, acting headteacher and special educational needs co-ordinator.

Education is therefore close to my heart, particularly Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) and early years provision.

In May 2023, Plymouth underwent an area Ofsted and CQC inspection of SEND, just two weeks after I took up my Cabinet post. The June 2023 report was highly critical. However, during a monitoring visit in December 2025, inspectors found that the local authority, health services, schools, and partners had taken effective action and made real progress. This improvement means better outcomes

for children and young people with SEND, and greater confidence for parents and carers that their children's needs are being met.

Inspectors recognised that children and young people are now clearly at the centre of our work, highlighting a deep and sustained cultural shift. Openness, transparency, and effective communication have been central to this positive change.

Across the city, schools are doing impressive work, and it is a privilege to witness this regularly. In Stoke, several schools have been particularly innovative.

Stoke Damerel Primary is one of 38 schools delivering council-funded targeted support through nurture groups. These small groups help children not only academically but also in building confidence and self-esteem.

During a recent visit, I saw first-hand the positive impact on pupils and heard staff

Road works can be disruptive in the short term but I'm confident it will be worth the wait – for a junction that is safer for everyone.

speak enthusiastically about their progress. Stuart Road Primary, another communityfocused school, has led initiatives from tree planting in Victoria Park to championing safer streets. Its new school-based nursery, which opened in September, is already giving young children an excellent start.

This Government's mission is about giving every child the best start in life. This council was elected on a commitment to make Plymouth the best place to grow up in. Together across Plymouth, and in our own ward of Stoke, we are starting to realise these ambitions.

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All aboard for for a whole new learning experience

Pupils from Marine Academy Primary swapped their classrooms for platforms travelling by train from St Budeaux to Plymouth railway station to bring their class story, The Runaway Train, to

guided tours

of Plymouth railway station, discovering what happens behind the scenes to keep trains running safely and on time. Station staff explained different areas of the site and answered pupils' questions, helping them learn words linked to travel, safety, and the story.

visit

the train driver from The Runaway Train. The children were delighted to meet the character in real life and speak to him about his role.

During one of the visits, pupils also met Chloe, the assistant station manager, who showed them around the station, along with two British Transport Police officers who spoke about their role in keeping passengers safe.

Pupils were even invited to sit inside a police car and hear the siren, an exciting moment that got the children talking and asking more questions.

In Early Years, pupils follow a story-based curriculum designed to immerse children in carefully chosen texts, introducing key vocabulary through memorable, real-world experiences. Visits like the trip to Plymouth railway station link classroom learning to the world outside school.

Marine Academy Primary, part of the Ted Wragg Trust, supports this approach by funding six extracurricular trips or visits for every pupil each year, helping to broaden horizons, build confidence, and strengthen communication skills from an early age.

Georgina Reid, headteacher at Marine Academy

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Plymouth students get hands-on F1 experience

Students from All Saints Academy Plymouth swapped the classroom for the world of elite motorsport during a visit to the headquarters of the Williams F1 team in Oxfordshire.

Visiting the Williams museum was one of the highlights of the visit

The Year 7s took part in a hands-on STEM workshop where they designed and tested a Formula One nose cone before presenting their ideas to Williams staff at the team's Grove base.

The group also toured the Williams museum, tried out racing simulators and learned about the team‚'s history, which includes championship winning drivers such as Nigel Mansell, Keke Rosberg and Damon Hill.

Williams finished fifth in last season's constructors' championship, with drivers Alex Albon and Carlos Sainz both securing top ten finishes in the drivers' standings. The Grove factory, around 12 miles south west of Oxford, is where the team's cars are built and prepared for each race.

The visit gave students a hands-on insight into careers in engineering, design and technology, and showed how classroom learning links to real-world industries.

The school has a strong ongoing focus on motorsport and engineering, including its GreenPower team, which gives students regular opportunities to design, build and race electric cars while developing practical skills, teamwork and problem-solving.

Scott Simpson-Horne, headteacher at All

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All Saints students enjoying their time on the racing simulators and (bottom) learning about composite materials in the classroom

Saints Academy, said: "The excitement on our pupils' faces said it all. Opportunities like this allow young people to see where science, engineering and creativity can take them, and to imagine themselves working in industries like F1 one day. We are extremely grateful to parents and carers for their support, and to the Williams Racing team for such a memorable and inspiring visit."

Plymouth police reflect on another busy year in city

Police teams in Plymouth are reflecting on a busy 2025 and are well prepared for more incidents and events throughout the rest of this year – January has proved to be demanding so far.

Last year officers dealt with thousands of incidents, some of them very challenging and worked hard to keep the public safe and bring offenders to justice.

Communities across the city were helped by officers who were investigating reports such as missing people, drug dealing, road traffic collisions, community events, unexploded WW2 ordnance, adverse weather such as flooding, rural crime, anti-social behaviour, protests, retail and business crime - to name just some of the demands.

Matt Longman

Each summer sees an influx of holidaymakers to Plymouth and throughout Devon which means extra demand on police teams as the population grows.

Plymouth Police Commander Matt Longman said: “As one of the blue light responders we are

used to dealing with very busy and challenging situations - and 2025 was no exception.

“I would like to praise all those officers, staff and volunteers who make up the police family in Plymouth. They are a very dedicated bunch and do their best to help the public round the clock.

"There are a variety of significant demands across the city and we will continue to tackle crime in all forms and help the most vulnerable in society. We want to keep our communities safe and informed.

“This year promises to be an exciting one with many community events, including the Plymouth City of Culture bid, and we are always ready to deploy to whoever needs us.

"We don’t always get things right 100 per cent of the time, but we have hard-working colleagues who go above and beyond to serve their communities. And we would like to thank the public who support and work with us.

“This year has been a busy one so far and we have had another positive response to an

unexploded bomb where we worked closely with the public and partner agencies to evacuate those affected and return the city to normality as quickly as possible. This major incident happened on the same day as a similar major incident in Exmouth and shows, once again, how we work alongside our partners to successfully resolve situations.”

Some of the proactive work in 2025 across areas of Plymouth included:

• Officers attended more than 7,000 emergency calls

• More than 200 arrests took place in relation to shoplifting which led to 453 charges.

• More than 6,000 bookings into Plymouth custody centre

• Officers investigated more than 1,000 reports of someone going missing, relating to more than 600 missing people (some people are reported missing more than once).

Plymouth city centre is a designated hotspot foot patrol area and officers are focused on tackling anti-social behaviour and increasing engagement with the public. Extra hotspot foot patrols in the city centre have been funded by the Office of the Police & Crime Commissioner and the Home Office. From April to the end of December

Gaming group helps veterans to connect

When a Royal Navy veteran from Plymouth saw an advert asking for people to share their ideas for supporting veterans in the local area, he knew just what was needed. And now a gaming group he established six months ago, is helping to connect veterans across the city.

Gordon Jones, aged 45, from Sherford knew there was a gap for veterans who don't fall into the usual category of enjoying sports. So he went along to a dropin session, organised by Kelly Dowell, the local Help for Heroes Community Builder for Plymouth to have a chat.

Gordon had a successful and interesting career in the Royal Navy, serving for more than 23 years as a meteorologist and an oceanographer.

During that time, he worked on different ships, aircraft carriers and submarines across the world, helping the crews to understand how the weather and the ocean could affect any operations or tours they were planning, and worked with the US Navy for three years.

As a self-confessed ‘nerd’ he was never into sport when he was serving, but has always had a love of gaming. Since leaving the navy earlier this year, Gordon struggled to find a community of like-minded people he could join that had similar interests. Instead of just complaining, he decided to do something about it.

Gordon explained: "When I met Kelly, she was very understanding. It was really important for me to find something where I could connect with other veterans, who have similar interests, but there wasn't anything.

"I suggested to Kelly that there was potential for a veteran's group focussed on gaming and Dungeons and Dragons in particular. We set up in August last year and it's

going from strength to strength."

The monthly Dungeons and Dragons sessions, which are held at the Four Greens Community Centre, have an emphasis on creating fun for people and getting people together to talk. Help for Heroes funded the cost of the first kick-off session and Kelly continues to provide support when needed. Gordon is hoping to attract more Dungeon Masters, so they can continue to grow.

Gordon added: "People aren't necessarily talking about their problems, they’re talking about their shared experiences. And the D&D format gives people the chance to use their imaginations and tell stories, but with dice."

Kelly Dowell said: "Help for Heroes is expanding its reach into local communities. We're keen to work with local veterans, like Gordon, to find new ways of connecting veterans, using their own skills and experiences. We've had really positive feedback from everyone who attends the D&D sessions. People value being able to meet up and talk to like-minded people.

"The D&D groups offer an alternative space to the usual coffee mornings and veterans' breakfasts on offer. It is also on a weekday evening, meaning it is accessible to those with a 9 to 5 job. Family members are also welcome, giving a chance for the partners and children to connect with others who understand their experiences of supporting veterans." For more information about the Dungeons and Dragons group contact kelly.dowell@ helpforheroes.org.uk

Anyone interested in finding out more about the Help for Heroes Community Builder programme, go to www. facebook.com/helpforheroes communitybuilderplymouth

last year there were 1517 hours of foot patrol hours in Plymouth City Centre.

Volunteer Special Constabulary officers dedicated more than 4,000 hours last year to support Plymouth police teams – including Neighbourhood officers and Response – in 2025. There are currently 23 Specials in Plymouth helping the Force with unpaid duties.

They take part in operations, road safety initiatives and high visibility foot patrols, as well as supporting community events.

Specials have the same powers as regular police officers and wear the same uniform. They are required to donate at least 16 hours per month to the role.

Devon & Cornwall Police are recruiting so to find out more about joining the force and making a difference visit www.devon-cornwall.police.uk/ careers

To know what’s going on in a local area sign up to Devon and Cornwall Police Community Messaging service, a two-way information service that keeps residents up to date.

To join over 40,000 people who are already part of the community sign up at https://communitymessaging.dc.police.uk/

Plymouth MPs celebrate the roll out of more free breakfast clubs in the city

two

Fred Thomas and Luke Pollard, have welcomed the announcement that five more primary schools in the city will be part of the roll out of new free breakfast clubs from April.

In Plymouth Moor View Riverside Community School, Victoria Road Primary and Austin Farm Academy are all joining the scheme. In Plymouth Sutton and Devonport the schools added to the roll out are Marlborough Primary Academy and St Peters CofE Primary.

It means that half a million children in England's most disadvantaged communities will benefit from the offer this year, and it follows the first stage of the roll out that saw four Plymouth schools benefit.

Fred Thomas, MP for Plymouth Moor View, said: "I am delighted that three more schools in my constituency will begin to benefit from free breakfast clubs from April this year.

"Visiting schools in the first phase of this scheme, it was clear to see how valued they were by both children and their parents. It is absolutely vital that children start their day with a good nutritious breakfast – you can't learn on an empty stomach.

"We promised parents we would break down this barrier to opportunity and ensure all children could start the day in the best possible way, and we are delivering on that promise. I can't wait to visit the new schools and see the clubs in action!"

Luke Pollard MP for Plymouth Sutton and Devonport said: “I am pleased that St Peter's and Marlborough Primary have been selected for the next wave of Labour's breakfast clubs. This is a massive win for families in Plymouth. By providing a healthy meal and a bit of extra childcare, we aren’t just saving parents money, we’re making sure our kids start the day with a full stomach and are ready to learn.”

Marc Wheeler, headteacher at St Peter's Church of England School said: "We are thrilled to have been successful in securing breakfast club funding. A nutritious breakfast is a vital foundation for learning, wellbeing, and behaviour, and for many children it makes a real difference to how settled, focused, and ready to learn they are at the start of the day.

“This funding will allow us to provide a calm, supportive start to the day that helps children feel regulated and ready to engage, while also offering practical support to families who may be facing increasing financial pressures."

The Plymouth Chronicle is excited to announce a collaboration with Argyle Life to provide regular Plymouth Argyle content from the perspective of the fans. We’ll be publishing regular pieces from Argyle Life contributors in print and via our website at www.plymouthchronicle.co.uk. Our latest article is written by Sam Down, one of the founders of Argyle Life. He reflects on Argyle's recent upturn in form and the addition of three players during the transfer window.

Working smarter, not harder

What a difference a month makes. Look, things at Argyle aren't perfect yet and given the perilous state of the club's finances (not my words, but stated by our CEO at the recent fan forum) they may not be for some time yet. And yes, there's always the risk this will age like milk with a tough run of fixtures coming up.

However I'd be churlish to deny that things have enormously improved beyond the extent I considered possible in such a short span of time. And I have to say, it seems as though I could hardly have asked for a better response to my most recent article where I stated the need for Argyle to rediscover the 'intelligent' edge that we lost in the past two calendar years.

Firstly, we need to look at the on field improvement. Whilst December was an upturn in results, I'd be lying if I said the stodgy and defensive performances felt fully sustainable. January was different - we saw a team that was, yes, a winning team, but just as crucially, a team that had found its identity and philosophy. And, some would argue more importantly still, a team that had once again discovered the joy of playing football.

Good insight

I'll pause for a minute to direct readers, if they haven't already, to watch the 'Behind the Greens' in-house club documentary. It's an immersive viewing and one that really gives a good insight into the work going on behind the scenes. Tom Cleverley himself is working smarter, not harder. It was widely reported even in our darkest days that he got into the building before anyone else to plan tactically and to lay out his training plan for the day. Now though, we see him relaxed in the gym doing pull-ups at 6am before we catch a glimpse of two words on a clipboard that epitomise our recent revival: Fast Press.

Last month, Argyle became a team that was very comfortable not having the ball but not in the old Italian 'Cattenacio' way. It was intoxicating and energetic at all times. In pretty much every game (with the exception of the New Year’s Day bore draw at Stevenage), we attacked like a swarm of angry wasps off

the ball, relentlessly pressing and pouncing on the first sign of any error.

Where this was most visible is in the attacking output. In every single January game, even the aforementioned Stevenage one, Argyle registered a higher expected goals tally than their opponents and usually by a fair way.

For the uninitiated, xG measures the quality of chances created - and the data confirms what our eyes are seeing. It isn't a perfect predictive measure, but it's about as reliable as we can get in this day and age.

By being prepared to take more risks, bursting forward into the opposing half to press, it is no surprise that we have created more chances and scored far more goals. Three against Burton and four at Bristol Rovers were just the start of it.

Then at Peterborough came the performance that really made me think the Greens were starting to find their style again. We only won 1-0 but could so easily have scored four on the day and it was a similar story against Luton. Dominant performances against Mansfield and Stockport should have yielded more than a solitary point from the two games.

The other area of focus was the recruitment. After a series of disappointing transfers, I wanted

USEFUL NUMBERS

to see substantial improvement. Critically, I wanted to see that we were making decisions based on sound data-led principles.

So far, this looks like another box ticked. When the news first broke that Argyle were signing Port Vale winger Ronan Curtis, more than a single eyebrow was raised around Plymouth.

At first glance, it was a baffling signing. Here was a player who wasn't regularly playing at Port Vale, one of the only teams in the league to be worse than Argyle (at that time).

However, when you began to look at his advanced stats, great cause for encouragement was found. Curtis ranked highly for metrics such as expected assists, big chances created and chances created per 90. Not just for Vale but across the entire division.

That faith was seriously repaid watching his debut at Bristol Rovers, where he registered three assists in his maiden Argyle appearance. Surely the first time anyone has done that?

The word you'd most associate with Curtis? Width. And, with the exception of 'pressing' that's also the word you'd most associate with our recent improvement.

Again, I would remind you that the December run of form was punctuated with some disappointing results at Home Park. We lost to Bradford, were demolished (albeit

with 10 men) by Reading and only a late equaliser saw us pick up a point against Wycombe.

The main issue? We were too narrow, too narrow by half. Bali Mumba, a right footer on the left side, always wanted to come inside and take the ball into more central positions.

It's not a bad thing necessarilyit's just the way he plays. After his recent departure to Huddersfield, he seems to have started well for them playing a substantial role in their three match winning run. It was, though, a bad fit tactically for Argyle's system.

Mumba always came central. Xavier Amaechi on the other side, he too always came central as did Ayman Benarous in the early stages of the Reading match. The result? We were so packed in the middle of the field it was easy for teams to counter and hit us on the break.

Cleverley to his credit has rectified this – Curtis offers natural width on the right hand side which allows us to stretch the play and get quality crosses in.

On the other side is Matty Sorinola. Like Mumba, he's not a natural left footer but he's far more inclined to make runs down the touchline and get chalk on his boots (even if it means having to use his weaker foot or to change his body shape at times).

When he does invert, left-back Brendan Galloway is given licence to overlap and threaten the wide areas.

Finally, we added two more players to our squad on deadline day with loanees Wes Harding and Herbie Kane.

I don't have the page space to do them justice, but they're both players who've thrived at this level and played passably in the championship. The pragmatism to sometimes take an experienced option is welcome and something we've perhaps not seen enough of over the years.

Obviously there's a long way to go – Argyle's fixture and injury lists mean February won't be an easy month for us.

But nonetheless, the combination of unabashed width and the fast press have ensured a significant uptick in performance.

It seems like we are finally working smarter and long may it continue.

Beryl Cook's colourful characters are brought to life as sculptures

Colourful characters from some of Beryl Cook's most popular paintings have been brought off the canvas and onto Plymouth streets.

The four life-size sculptures have been created as part of a partnership between Theatre Royal Plymouth and The Box to coincide with the biggest ever exhibition celebrating her work.

The characters, which were selected in consultation with Cook’s family, can be seen in the locations that inspired them:

• A character from Sailors and Seagulls (c1970) can be found on a bench outside The Dolphin on Southside Street

• A cheerful shopper from The Market (1978) has appeared at the entrance to Plymouth Market

• A bowls player can be found midgame near the green on The Hoe that inspired Sabotage (1975)

• The figure of Brian Pearce (aka drag performer Ruby Venezuela) from Tom Dancing (1976) stands near The Bank pub.

Victoria Pomery, chief executive of The Box, said: “Beryl painted Plymouth with such warmth, humour and affection for over 40 years. These

bring her work back to the streets she loved – The Hoe, the Barbican, the Pannier Market, the

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city’s pubs and clubs.

“They’re going to bring so much joy to people, whether they’re devoted

Beryl fans or discovering her work for the first time.”

James Mackenzie-Blackman, chief executive and artistic director of Theatre Royal Plymouth, added: “We’re thrilled to partner with The Box on this project. Our highly skilled craftspeople at our TR2 workshop have done a phenomenal job bringing the 2D characters from the paintings to life, creating brand new pieces of art that the people of Plymouth can admire and interact with.

“Beryl's work celebrated people who were often overlooked or dismissed, and these sculptures are a brilliant way to share that celebration across the whole city."

Sophie Cook, Beryl's granddaughter, said: "These sculptures are such a fitting tribute to Beryl in her centenary year. She loved Plymouth and Plymouth loved her back. Seeing her characters come to life in the actual places she painted them – The Hoe, the pubs, the market – would have absolutely delighted her. We're so grateful to The Box and Theatre Royal Plymouth for making this happen.

The Beryl Cook exhibition 'Pride & Joy' continues at The Box until May 31. For details visit www. theboxplymouth.com

homes in Waterside & West

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The April edition of the Plymouth Chronicle in Waterside and West will be published on March 20 with a copy deadline of March 13. The Waterside & West edition is one of four hyper local editions delivered to a total of more than 90,000 homes throughout the city. We welcome submissions but cannot guarantee publication. We accept press releases in the form of text documents and images in JPG or TIFF format (high resolution please).

6 Beat-up, 8 Nine, 12 Insomnia, 14 Iceberg, 15 Lizard, 17 Rotate, 18 Bean, 21 Ebbs.