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Our forgotten water kids (by Nic Randall, published Monday, 12 July 2010 08:20)
Our forgotten water kids
Pictures by Nic Randall
This youngster seems to have a message for those who won't provide proper facilities
Water, water everywhere but not a even a drink to drop into!!
Walkways provide alternative diving boards
Scores of local youths, both boys and girls, were swarming over the walls and structures around the Barbican in a collective act of defiance against the signs forbidding them to access and jump into the water from. They can't understand why a seaside city like Plymouth with bags of shoreline around the Hoe and the Barbican is devoid of any facilities to allow them to do what youths do by jumping from height into the sea in a safe environment.
Speaking to these youngsters, one gets the feeling that you are looking at the Royal Marines of the future who will one day take their daring streaks into combat to help keep the armchair types safe to play their computer games. These guys and girls look fit and have bags of energy just bursting to get out.
The "facilities" around the Barbican offer a progressive route from surface area entry to moderately high structures. But, the next level includes places around the Hoe with drops of 65 feet with protruding rocks and low water levels when the tide recedes. Those jumping this weekend were attracting the attention of the many visitors to the waterfront and with good sized audiences, so the heroics increased.
In conversation with both the youngsters and the adults who referred to their youth and doing similar things, all they want are some safe facilities provided for them and they all show dismay that the diving boards have been removed from the Hoe. At least those boards offered progressive heights to aspire to and with not too much thought, could have provided a designated area away from boats and rocks. The adults want the authorities to remove some of the cotton wool from the youngsters and let them have some good clean fun to remember their youth by.
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Royal Navy's SW helicopter carrier in US (by Nic Randall, published Monday, 12 July 2010 09:43)
Royal Navy's SW helicopter carrier in US
The Plymouth-based warship HMS Ocean is exercising off the coast of North Carolina, having sailed from the US naval base in Norfolk last week. HMS Ocean is in the region as part of the UK amphibious task group element of Exercise Auriga. The Auriga deployment is a US exercise with the Royal Navy focussing on crisis response set in a high intensity, multi-‘threat’, hot weather environment near Camp Lejeune in North Carolina. The main aim for the US Navy is to exercise its amphibious ready group while the UK task group, led by HMS Ark Royal, will concentrate on developing joint operating between the amphibious and aircraft carrier groups.
A rest period in Norfolk gave Plymouth-based HMS Ocean's crew a well-earned break after the long Atlantic crossing and their first chance to sample American culture - and what could be more American than Friday night baseball. The local team the Norfolk Tides were playing the Charlotte Knights providing a chance to experience America's national sport and accompanying music, singing, games and fireworks. The visit had the bonus of coinciding with the 4th July Independence Day celebrations. Some of the crew went to Washington to join the celebrations in the capital, while others spent the day on Virginia Beach to enjoy local 4th July events. With temperatures in the high 30's, the beach was the perfect place to start the party, which went on well into the night, with numerous bands and entertainers lining the beach front and an amazing fireworks display.
Now back at sea, the crew are hard at work in defence watches and the atmosphere has changed very quickly to a sense of purpose as everyone gets on with their daily business.
Last year as part of the Taurus 2009 task group, which formed the Royal Navy's biggest deployment to the Far East in more than a decade. This year HMS Ocean, a commando helicopter carrier, conducted cold weather amphibious tin the Arctic Circle and off the SW coast in preparation for the current Exercise Auriga.
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Man charged with rape of a child (by Nic Randall, published Monday, 12 July 2010 10:25)
Man charged with rape of a child
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Following allegations of a sexual assault on a boy, police in Plymouth police moved quickly to arrest a 24 year old man in the Efford area of Plymouth on Saturday evening, 10 July 2010.
Police have now charged a 24 year old Mark Symons for the rape of a six year old boy. The boy was known to the man who was in his care at the time.
The child is now being looked after and in the care of his parents.
Mark Symons is due to appear in court this morning, Monday 12 July 2010.
This is a fast moving investigation where police enquiries are continuing. If anyone has any concerns they are asked to contact the police and quote log number 197 of 120710.
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Precious memories help Precious Lives (by Nic Randall, published Monday, 12 July 2010 19:03)
Precious memories help Precious Lives
Co-operative Funeralcare staff and members of the Bereavement Support Services present CHSW’s Judy Pride with a cheque
By remembering those dear to them, a bereavement support group is helping build a new hospice to make the most of short and precious lives. Through holding Remembrance Services and accepting donations at group meetings the Co-operative Funeralcare in Crownhill has raised over £5,000 for Children’s Hospice South West’s Precious Lives Appeal to build Little Harbour.
Over the last year £4,774.46 has been collected at special Remembrance Services, with an additional £610.12 raised by Bereavement Club members. Jack Walsh, Sector Manager for the Co-operative Funeralcare, says:
“The Co-operative Funeralcare staff, assisted by the Bereavement Club – which now holds meetings at the Abbey Hall, St Andrew’s Church, Plymouth, every Wednesday afternoon – have been busy raising funds for a charity dear to their hearts. “The amount raised for Children’s Hospice South West came from their Remembrance Services and donations from members of the Bereavement Service. All our staff and friends thoroughly enjoy raising funds for this worthy cause which will provide hospice care for children and their families from Plymouth and Cornwall.”
Like Children’s Hospice South West’s other children’s hospices – Little Bridge House in North Devon and Charlton Farm in North Somerset – Little Harbour, the new hospice being built in Cornwall, will provide care and support for families with life-limited children. It will be a homely place where families can forget their worries for a while and enjoy making the most of precious time together, creating memories that will last a lifetime.
As with CHSW’s other hospices, specially trained staff at the hospice will support families through bereavement, for as long as they need it, and Little Harbour will hold special remembering weekends and events for these families.
Judy Pride, Community Fundraiser for Children’s Hospice South West, says:
“The Remembrance Services at St Andrews organised by Plymouth Co-operative Funeralcare are so special. The services celebrate life and cherish memories which echoes so well the ethos of a children’s hospice.”
There are many ways in which you can help Children’s Hospice South West’s Precious Lives Appeal to build Little Harbour, including leaving a lasting legacy by remembering CHSW in your will. Log on to www.chsw.org.uk or phone Judy Pride on 01837 52365 for further information.
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A berry good time in store for Plymouth families (by Nic Randall, published Monday, 12 July 2010 19:21)
A berry good time in store for Plymouth families
Pictures by Nic Randall
Strawberries...lovely strawberries
“The outlook was a sweet one for families living in Devonport and Stoke” say staff at Action for Children Green Ark Children’s Centre today.
Kids and adults alike were able to pick organic strawberries grown on the premises, located on the corner of Raglan Road and Fore Street, and see first hand the versatility of the fruit when they turn their hands at smoothie making.
Tasting the fruits of their labour
Set to enjoy the fruits of their labour next year, children and families from the Centre have been busy planning and planting plum trees, pear trees, apple trees, morello cherry trees, blueberries, currants and raspberry bushes in the grounds of Green Ark Children’s Centre with expertise and guidance provided by Tess Wilmott from Diggin’ It. “We want to drum up interest in all the new trees and bushes we have growing in the grounds so that visitors know they can go ahead and pick the fruit to eat or share,” says Clare Wasey, deputy manager, Action for Children Green Ark Children’s Centre. “They will see just how easy and satisfying it is to grow fruit and perhaps try and plant some at home,” she adds. “We hope that the children here will grow up seeing the fruit trees they have planted blossoming and bearing fruit and be more willing to try some of it,” says Pat Smith, manager, Action for Children Green Ark Children’s Centre. “Local fruit growing is a great way to improve landscapes whilst expanding the variety and quality of food we eat,” she adds.
Finding the strawberries
Action for Children Green Ark Children's Centre, located on the corner of Raglan Road and Fore Street in Devonport is open five days a week from 8 am – 6 pm. A natural, constantly evolving resource, Green Ark can help parents and carers with every aspect of family life from health, education, affordable childcare and play right through to adult training courses, volunteering and financial advice.
A fruitful day
Making smoothies from the fruit
The centre's garden boxes
For more information on any of Green Ark’s activities, please ring the Children’s Centre on 01752 565 555 or visit www.green-ark.co.uk.
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Barbican Blaze (by Nic Randall, published Monday, 12 July 2010 19:48)
Barbican Blaze
Pictures by Nic Randall
An aerial ladder was used
Fire crews were called to the Barbican late this afternoon to deal with a blaze above the Pilgrims bar on Southside Street. It is thought the fire started in the kitchen area and there were no reports of injuries.
Southside Street was sealed off
Police cordon off the area
Second floor fire damaged window
Fire fighters talk tactics
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Devonport Services player's England call up (by Nic Randall, published Monday, 12 July 2010 19:09)
Devonport Services player's England call up
Picture by Mike Cox
Jack Arnott
Devonport Services Jack Arnott has been called up to the England under 18 squad touring South Africa.
Jack unexpectedly received the call to travel to South Africa for twelve days.
For a player only just over sixteen years old to join an under eighteen squad speaks volumes of his ability and the selectors faith in him.
They are due to play Namibia on July 16th, France on July 20th and South Africa on July 23rd.
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