The Parish magazine of the Church of England in Plymstock and Hooe

2. FROM THE REV’D STEVE PAYNE
Dear Friends,
He will be called Emmanuel, which means God with us.
Matthew 1 v 23
“I just want to go home”; remarked a lady whom I recently visited in hospital.
Many who have faced the upheaval of illness or a time of uncertainty will
understand her wish. For home can be so much more than just a roof over our head. It’s a place where we can
bring up our family put down roots and thrive. A place of love and comfort, that always welcomes you with open
arms.
In the last few months we have heard the continuing distress of those who have fled from Syria crossing sea and
land seeking a new home.
Home and family is one of the enduring themes of Christmas. However, there will be those this Christmas who
may find home not to be such a welcoming place and those who do not even have a place to lay their head.
As I write, the Christmas lights have just been turned on in Plymouth and by now you may have had your fill of
the Christmas adverts. It sometimes feels that we celebrate Christmas prematurely so by the time it arrives we
are too fatigued to hear the life-changing message.
The God who comes to make his home amongst us, the child who grew up and spoke of a loving heavenly father
waiting with open arms to welcome us home.
The Church’s season of Advent can help us not to fast-forward Christmas. It can slow us down to reflect afresh on
whom and in what do we trust for our security and peace. What do we hope for our lives and our world?
As we await the big event how can we help the homeless find a home? To take up this challenge is one way in
which we can truly worship the Christ child and celebrate the coming of the one in whom our restless souls can
find a home.
Why not join us at our Christmas Services to find more about this amazing God. We would be delighted to see
you.
Jackie joins with me in wishing you all a blessed Christmas and New Year.
Steve
.
Christmas Services 2015
in the Parish of Plymstock & Hooe
We offer you a warm invitation to celebrate the season
with us at one of our worship centres.
(for more details contact one of the Clergy).
St Mary & All Saints, Plymstock
Sunday 20th
December
4.00pm Candlelit Carol Service
Come and sing carols and hear the Christmas story, followed by refreshments.
Christmas Eve
4.00pm Christingle

3. Join other families in a packed church, and discover who has travelled furthest!
11.00pm Midnight Communion
Carols and Communion by candlelight to welcome the birth of Jesus.
Christmas Day
10.00am Family Communion
Celebrate Christmas with young and old. The perfect way to start Christmas Day!
Holy Family, Staddiscombe
Christmas Day
9.00am Holy Family Church, The Staddy.
An informal celebration of Christmas with songs, drama, coffee & mince pies.
St John’s, Hooe
Sunday 20th
December
10.45am Christingle Service
6.00pm Community Carols at The Boringdon Arms, Turnchapel
Christmas Eve
11.30am Midnight Communion
Christmas Day
10.45am Christmas Family Communion
Church of the Good Shepherd, Oreston
Sunday 13th
December
2.30pm 'Christmas Crackers'
Celebrating the Christmas message.
Crafts/stories and songs for all age groups
Christmas Eve
2.30pm Christingle
5.00pm Christingle
7.30pm Community Carols at the Kings Arms, Oreston
Christmas Day
9.15am Christmas Family Communion
_________________

4. PARISH OF PLYMSTOCK AND HOOE
8am Parish Service of Holy Communion
St John’s ~ 8am Communion on 1
st
& 3
rd
Sundays
St Mary’s ~ 8am Communion on 2
nd
& 4
th
Sundays
Advent Meditations
‘Meet the Prophets.’
During the midweek Services of Advent,
we will be looking at the following themes:
Week beginning Nov. 30th
Waiting for Justice Jeremiah 33.14-16
Week beginning Dec. 7th
Waiting for change Malachi 3.1-4
Week beginning Dec. 14th
Waiting for hope Zephaniah 3.14-20
Week beginning Dec. 21st
Waiting for peace Micah 5.2-5a
Listening to the words of the Old Testament Prophets, we discover that the meaning is in the waiting. What do these
prophets say to us about the significance of Advent in today’s world?
For those who would like to stay,
a short discussion will take place over coffee after the Service.
THE ADVENT CROWN
It is thought that the tradition of the Advent Crown or Wreath originated in the Lutheran Church
in Germany in the 16
th
century; although, like many Christian traditions, the use of evergreen
leaves in the crown, symbolising the continuation of life through the darkness of winter,
probably had its origin in pre-Christian religions and beliefs.
The season of Advent is the four Sundays leading up to Christmas. It is a period when
Christians reflect on their lives as they prepare to celebrate again the birth of Jesus at
Christmas. It is customary that during Advent no flowers decorate churches - but it is usual to
have an Advent Crown. They are made from a circle of evergreen plants like holly and ivy
which symbolises God with no beginning or end. The evergreen is a reminder that God does
not change. The holly is also a symbol of the crown of thorns that Jesus had placed on his
head when he was crucified. Four candles, usually red or purple, are fixed round the circle with
a larger, white, candle in the centre.
The four candles around the edge are lit, one on each Sunday, on the four Sundays of Advent.
On the first Sunday of Advent the lit candle represents HOPE and remembers the Patriarchs –
the founding fathers of Israel as recorded in the opening books of the Old Testament.
On the second Sunday the candle represents PEACE and reminds us of the Prophets of the Old Testament who
reminded the people to return to God’s ways of peace.

5. On the third Sunday the candle represents the LOVE of Jesus’ cousin, John the Baptiser, who baptised Jesus at the start
of his travelling ministry.
The candle that is lit on the fourth Sunday represents the JOY of Mary on giving birth to Jesus, her son.
The centre, white, candle is lit on Christmas Eve or early on Christmas morning to represent Jesus, the light of the world.
Most churches have an Advent Crown. You can see an image of one all lit up on the cover of this magazine – but why not
go along and see one all lit up for yourself on Christmas Day – symbolising the hope and joy of Christmas.
Anthony Banbury
Reader (Lay Minister)
AN ENJOYABLE WEEKEND AT SHELDON

6. THE SHELDON WEEKEND
To the Sheldon Leaders,
Thank you for a super weekend. Good fun, good company and good food. Spiritually uplifting. Roll on next year!
Ann Devine

7. Adventures in prayer: 2
Each of the evenings will explore a biblical prayer in the context
of prayer & worship, followed by tea & coffee.

8. Wednesday 2
nd
December, 7.00-8.30pm
Church of the Holy Family
With a Service of Taizé Prayer
and
Saturday 12
th
December, 10.00am-12 noon
Church of the Good Shepherd
Advent Quiet Morning
Further details from any of the clergy.
REMEMBRANCE SERVICE ON HOOE GREEN
Over 100 people, including many children from Hooe Primary School, attended the Armistice Remembrance Service at
the D Day Memorial stone on Hooe Green on 11
th
November.
The Service was led by the Rev’d Steve Payne and the Baptist Minister, the Rev’d Vanessa Appleton, with remembrance
readings given by four children from Hooe School. Wreaths were laid and the children inserted crosses.
The D Day Remembrance stone was erected seven years ago to remember the American servicemen who left via
Turnchapel to fight on the Normandy landing beaches in 1944.
(Photo: David Demellweek)
CHRISTINGLE MAKING
&
CHURCH DECORATING
FRIDAY, 18th
DECEMBER, 2015, at 10.00am
Please join us. Coffee and mince pies too!
-Neil Broom

9. THE APPRENTICE BELL RINGER
‘You’ve got to catch them young’, so they say, and here five year old Isabelle Mahon helps to ring the church bells at
St John’s on a Sunday morning. Isabelle who regularly attends with her grandmother, Caroline, will be six in December
so we wish her A Very Happy Birthday!!!!
USED POSTAGE STAMPS
Please collect your used postage stamps this festive season, and throughout the year, they can be forwarded to the
charity Leprosy Mission in Ethiopia. This is a very worthwhile charity as leprosy is now a controllable, often curable,
disease and your stamps really help.
Contact Ruth Earl (Tel: 481708).
YOUNG @ HEART
At November’s meeting our speaker was the Rev’d Ian Provost accompanied by his wife, Margaret; indeed it was Ian
and Margaret who started ‘Young @ Heart’ during Ian’s time as our Vicar. They were delighted that we have been able
to keep it going with a steady membership.
Ian’s talk was based on their visit to some graves of the Great War, together with their son Timothy, earlier this year
(Timothy is currently our Church Warden at St John’s).
Timothy had done a huge amount of research into the trip and particularly wanted to visit the graves of local
Servicemen who had lost their lives fighting on the Western Front in Belgium and France; seven are recorded on St
John’s memorial. The Provost family found five named graves – those of W.H.O. Brains, A.C. Doney, J.R. Gilpin, G.
Page and G.A. Squires. The other two, W.C. Couling and J.J.H.C. Strudwick have their names commemorated on two
memorials. Older members of Young @ Heart remembered some of these men’s families.
Ian’s family took along seven poppy wreaths and in moments of silent contemplation Timothy laid a wreath at each
resting place. The wreaths were sent with love and appreciation from the congregation of St John’s.
Ian illustrated his talk with photographic slides taken on their visit. They really were quite stunning and evocative of
those years of war. There were also photographs of the places as they are now, the War Cemeteries with row upon row
of war graves, the fields and forests restored so well you wouldn’t believe the devastation of war, so long ago; and yet
areas where the guns had trundled along and the men had marched with their horses and all the trappings of war were
left as lanes for walkers and visitors, such as Ian and his family, to enjoy and speculate on the past. Timothy had
managed to obtain photographs of the war scenes - after destruction and devastation. Those were rather poignant and
had us all thinking. There was particularly one of a very young soldier, possibly just 16?, with a look of utter
bewilderment and fear on his face – the sort of look that must have upset so many parents during and after those war
years.
Ian, Margaret and Timothy visited so many of the War Cemeteries in France and Belgium that it would be impossible to
remember and list them all here. Suffice it to say we were all held spell-bound and learnt so much from Ian’s talk.
Having had this first part of our meeting in Church to take advantage of more suitable lighting for the slides we
thought it appropriate for Ian to finish with a prayer.

10. Jean Medway thanked Ian and Margaret for such a thought provoking afternoon and a small gift to them was made on
behalf of Young @ Heart.
We then moved into the Hall for a few notices followed by our, as ever, delicious tea. It was so encouraging to
welcome back new members from the previous meeting. We finished our afternoon by singing our hymn.
At December’s meeting we welcome the Modbury Handbell Ringers who have promised some Christmas music for us.
Sounds good! Hope to see you all there.
-Ruth Earl
Next Meeting ~ Tuesday, 1st
December, 2015, at 2.00pm in St John’s Hall.
New members are always very welcome.
CHRISTMAS COFFEE MORNING WITH STALLS ~ Saturday 21
st
November
Thank you to all who turned out on a cold wintery day to support this event and to those who donated items for the sale
and Raffle and for selling tickets and helping on stalls and in the kitchen.
We are very pleased to say that the total raised with the Sale and Raffle was £518. Thank you again for all your support.

11. ‘LOVE INTO ACTION’
Apologies for the delay in writing about my trip to Palestine and Israel and my impressions.
My husband and I have been going to St Johns church for nearly 19 years now and celebrated our 40th wedding anniversary on Sunday 16th
August with a lot of our friends at St Johns with cake after the Service.
In April I travelled with our son’s mother-in-law from Luton airport to Tel Aviv airport, my first trip abroad, to visit our children and 3 of our
grandchildren.
We left at 7am in the morning, lovely and sunny there, and arrived at Tel Aviv at 2pm their time (they are 2 hours ahead of us) where it was
raining. Laurence and his friend David met us to take us back to Bethlehem. They were both there as David’s sister and her boyfriend were
also on our flight and it made more sense to use Laurence’s 7 seater car than take 2 cars. When we got back to their house we were
welcomed by Sharon and the 3 grand-children who were really excited to see us. A lot of the local people were a bit puzzled by the fact that
we had gone out together and also that we get on well as it doesn’t happen very often over in the Middle East. They also had 9 Finnish
students staying with them for the first 6 days of our visit, 7 females and 2 males. They were there to help where they could as part of their
theological course but because of the children that Laurence and Sharon give respite care to the students could only help with clearing the
outside. They were brilliant with our 3 grandchildren but because of the way the water was delivered to the area Sharon had to limit the girls
to 5 minute showers so that they didn’t run out of water before the next delivery. Deliveries were usually every 10 – 14 days so they had 2
water tanks and when the first one ran out they opened up the second tank. Everyone that we met was so welcoming and helpful. I think that
because Laurence, Sharon and the children have been out there for over 4 years they have become highly respected and so we were
welcomed more than some normal tourists would have been. To some people I was known as the Mother of Laurence and Maggie was
known as the Mother of Phil (her second son who had been out about 6 months earlier).
We went around Bethlehem and Jerusalem, being respectful of their traditions, for example wearing longer length skirts, high necked tops
and keeping our elbows covered when we were out. We also went to the beach at Tel Aviv and I made my first trip to Ikea (there are 3 in the
Tel-Aviv area). We went to the old area of Jerusalem, to the market area, but didn’t time it very well as we got there just as everyone was
coming out of the Mosque so we sat down and ate the lunch that Sharon had given us. Everything was such a contrast to how we do things
over here but so helpful. We also had a look around the American based school that the children go to and it was amazing seeing this
purpose built school and all the ideas they had for the future.
We went to 2 different churches with the family, 1 in Bethlehem and 1 in Jerusalem. The one in Bethlehem you were given a device that
translated the readings and sermon for you. However, the one in Jerusalem was mainly in English and all the regulars either had their bible or
an app on their phone that they could look at for the readings.
I am really looking forward to my next trip, when hopefully I can go out with my husband.
-Hilary Garnett
CHRISTMAS WREATHS FOR UGANDAN CHARITY
December 1st
is always a momentous day for it is when my Conservatory will be full of
holly, fir, poinsettia, Christmas roses, pine cones and ribbons. My friends and I gather
together, lots of laughter, lots of female chat and lots of hard work. We love creating things
of beauty from nature to give people pleasure, to brighten their homes and to remember
loved ones. We like to provide you with a variety of choices, table decorations, wreaths and
hanging displays for the front door.
All the money raised will go to Nicola and Silas Tayebwa in Uganda. It could help an out of
work family pay their children’s school fees; it could help a widow with children to purchase
a sewing machine to set up a dress making business; it could help a family who had spent
their limited resources paying for medical treatment for the baby, not being able to pay their
rent, facing eviction from their home. They also provide a Credit Union and spread the Gospel in SW Uganda.
Please help them, help themselves.
ORDER YOUR WREATHS FROM:-
Jane Hingston ~ Tel: 316255

12. Christine Hancock, St Mary’s Church ~ Tel: 298780
Mary Skilton, St John’s Church ~ Tel: 407447.
-Jane Hingston
LIFE AFTER DEATH? A Lecture by Dr Paula Gooder
The Annual Richard Hooker Lecture at Marjons was given this year by Dr Paula
Gooder. An author of several books, Paula is also Theologian in Residence for the
Bible Society and an internationally renowned New Testament Theologian. Seven
of us from Plymstock and Hooe Parish attended the lecture and Shula has written
an interesting account…
On the evening of Wednesday, 11
th
November, we battled through a rainstorm to the
University of St Mark and St John to a warmer, drier brainstorm to listen to a talk by
Paula Gooder.
Just as ‘a starter for ten’ there was the title - “We believe in the Resurrection of the body”
according to St Paul. Apparently the Pharisees believed in this. Hence they insisted on the burial of the complete body,
skeleton and all.
We then tackled the Christian question of “What kind of body?” We need to consider Jesus’ after-death appearances,
where this body was thought to be different from his “eventual” body. At this stage Jesus could share a meal on the
seashore with the disciples. He invited Thomas to touch his visible scars. So what was His “eventual” body going to be
like?
We moved to Tom Wright’s mentioning of a “trans-physical body” and were referred to 1 Corinthians 15. 35-38. No time to
stop and read it then, so read it at home. Indeed do, especially v.38, “God provides that seed with the body he wishes;
he gives each seed its own proper body.” There was no time to stop and discuss the state of a baby at conception when
science teaches us that this particular “seed” is a blueprint for the eventual whole human complete with the structure of
organs down to fingernails and the place of DNA.
We were asked to think about our dying with Adam in his sin being resolved by the second Adam who would redeem us
by conquering and death (c.f. the hymn, ‘Praise to the holiest in the height’).
Regarding DEATH, Paula Recommended that, as a society, we should talk about it NOW, and not wait until it happens to
a loved one and we need to know where that person is now. We are usually in no fit state to philosophise about death just
then.
We dealt briefly with Plato’s idea of the body and soul being separate entities and ended with two encouraging thoughts -
one that “Paradise” means “being with God” and that “God’s time” is “Eternity”; you see what I mean about brainstorming
don’t you?
-Shula Molyneux
ALL AGE REMEMBRANCE SERVICE

13. The Church of the Good Shepherd, Oreston celebrated an ‘All Age’ Remembrance Service – ‘We will Remember Them’
on Sunday afternoon, November 8
th
.
The service was well attended with everyone receiving a candle and a poppy on arrival. Before the start of the service
everyone took their candle to the front of the church where the candle was lit and placed on a table. The candles were
placed to form a cross. Whilst there, everyone had the opportunity to register a name of someone that they wanted to be
remembered during the service.
The service contained the hymns God is our Refuge, Make Me a Channel of your Peace, Let There Be Peace on Earth
and Lord for the Years. Kevin recalled the bombing that occurred in Oreston & the Plymstock areas during the Second
World War and read a list of those from Oreston who had been killed.
Whilst singing ‘Let There Be peace on Earth’ a wreath was passed around the congregation and everyone pinned their
poppy onto it resulting in a ‘poppy wreath’. Graham recited a very moving poem ‘Remembering the Fallen’. The names of
those who were registered to be remembered at the the start of the service were read out. Thirteen year old Sam Gilbert
played the ‘Last Post’ on the trumpet and a few moments silence was observed.
After singing the National Anthem the Poppy Wreath was taken in procession accompanied by a Royal Air Force
Standard Bearer down to Oreston Quay where it was fastened onto the railings. The hymn ‘Eternal Father, Strong to
Save’ was sung. The ‘Last Post’ was played after which everyone went to the church hall for a very good jam and cream
tea which was the perfect end to a very poignant afternoon.
-Allan & Sue
West Dartmoor Mission Community
Prayers for a Pause
In peace may I pause and rest. For you alone Lord make me dwell in safety.
In the name of Jesus Christ, who was never in a hurry, I pray, God,
that you will slow me down, for I know I live too fast.
With all eternity before me, make me take time to live – time to get acquainted with you, time to enjoy your blessings, and
time to know those I love.
Amen.
-submitted by Hazel Osborn
.

15. MESSY CHURCH LIGHT PARTY – Sunday 1
st
November 2015
“I should have known better” is a “punchy” Beatles song about the unexpected depth of love a man discovers for his new
girlfriend.
And so it was that as I set off for the Staddy to help to set up the Messy Church Light Party I was feeling more than a little
“miffed” with God. We'd had a practical preparation meeting, a separate prayer meeting, there was publicity across
Plymstock, The Evening Herald had given us a healthy “plug” whilst many personalised e mails had gone off. Yet …. the
responses were more than “thin”. Our attendees were going to “rattle around”, even in the small room.
But of course this is just part and parcel of holding a “Messy Church”.
However .... no sooner had we put up the last table when a queue began to form outside. Parents from Tavistock,
Plympton and Plymstock brought their children – it was our best attendance yet.
Activities included lantern making, stainglass window making, the icing of star biscuits, all done with incredible
concentration on the part of the children. There were also some quite in depth discussions with parents.
The theme was the “Light of Christ” as helpfully demonstrated by glow bands and torches lighting up the room to combat
the “darkness” of Halloween the previous evening.
Strangely, there was nothing left from the meal of pizzas plus apple pie and ice cream.
I too should have known better. “Great is Thy faithfulness” would have been more relevant.
THE NEXT MESSY CHURCH at ‘The Staddy’
will be on
SUNDAY, 13
th
DECEMBER 2015, 4 – 6pm
‘JOURNEY WITH JESUS’
-Bob Davidson

16. AS IT WAS . . . .
Frederick Brailey at work at his Staddiscombe Smithy shortly after the First World War. He later moved to the Smithy in
Plymstock.
SOME MUSIC EVENTS IN DECEMBER
Dec 2
nd
Plymouth Symphony Orchestra, Plymouth Guildhall.
Dec 5
th
Christmas Concert by University of Plymouth Choral Society,
Minster Church of St Andrew.
Dec 6
th
Plymouth Philharmonic Choir, The Guildhall
Dec 10
th
Plymouth University Orchestra, Davy Main Hall, Plymouth University.
Dec 11
th
Plymouth Area Police Choir, Plymouth Methodist Central Hall.
For your best Christmas read this year try ‘A Layman’s View of Some Plymouth Churches’,
by W.J. Power.
Compiled and written during the 1950-60’s, it lay forgotten in a drawer until now and has
been resurrected and printed by a member of St John’s Church.
150 pages long it is available from www.lulu.com also from Hooe’s Place Café on a
Thursday, price £7.50.

17. Hooe’s Place Community Café
Thursdays
Open to all
Morning Coffee 10.30-11.30am
Freshly cooked lunches 11.45am-1.30pm
St John’s Church, Hooe
Open every Thursday
10.00am - 2.00pm
Church open for prayer and/or viewing
Entrance through St John’s Hall
Enquires regarding Baptisms, Marriages at
St Johns can be made between
10-11am in the church hall.
LOCAL NEWS
Revised Bus Timetable
Last month Plymouth City Bus revised the weekday services on the 5/5A - Elburton/ City Centre route.
The number of vehicles operating the service has been increased to improve the running times of buses.
Revised timetables are available at the city centre travel shop and online.
House Auction Sale
The abandoned property at No.2 Hexton Hill Road, Hooe, was recently sold by Shobrook & Co, at auction, for £152.000. Plymouth
City Council had obtained a County Court order for the sale of the property for the recovery of outstanding council tax debts.
Plymstock Library Films
The film, The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel, will be shown on Monday 21 December at 2.00pm. The PG certificated
film runs for 122 minutes.
Classic Films showing this month:
Northanger Abbey – Tuesday 8 November at 2.00pm. It is a Certificate PG film running for 84 minutes.
Elf - Tuesday 22 December at 2.00pm. The Certificate PG film runs for 93 minutes.
Plymouth Winter Ice Rink
The Piazza ice skating rink in Plymouth city centre is open every day except Christmas Day until the 31 January 2016. Details on the
plymouthwintericeskaking.co.uk website
Heritage at Risk - Plymstock
Historic England in October published the 2015 Buildings at Risk Register. Places listed on the Register in Plymstock include:
Mount Batten Tower
Scheduled Monument, LB grade II*
Condition: Fair Vacant/not in use
Priority Category: C (New entry)
Owner: Local Authority. List No: 1017599
The monument includes a C17 artillery tower, and a Civil War breastwork as well as sundry World War II remains. It is suffering from lack of
maintenance, occasional vandalism, water ingress and lack of a use. In 2015 a Historic England grant funded a survey of the tower and vegetation
clearance. Further funding will be sought to enable continuation of restoration works.
Church of St Mary and All Saints
Designation: Listed Place of Worship Grade II*
Condition: Poor
Priority Category D (D) Owner Type: Religious organisation. List No. 1330541
Roof coverings, particularly the nave and inner slopes of north and south aisle, are desperately in need of renewal. Slates to these areas have
previously been covered with bitumen-coated hessian and will not be reusable for repairs. Valley gutter also needs renewing. Interior suffers from

18. condensation and poor ventilation. Gullies need clearing out. Downpipe to tower leaking or blocked. Some ivy growth to masonry. Buttresses need
repointing. Excessive tree growth near north wall. Faculty granted 2011 for some re-roofing work to aisles.
Historic England visited and assessed listed places of worship considered to be in poor or very bad condition according to local assessments. Those
that are identified as at risk are included on the Register.
Toilets to be Removed
The disused toilets in Hooe are scheduled to be demolished this month as part of a programme to upgrade public conveniences
throughout Plymouth. The City Council has pledged to overhaul the public convenience network, keep them clean and open and to
help stop vandalism.
Police and Crime Report
Tony Hogg, Police and Crime Commissioner for Devon and Cornwall in his monthly report states he has shelved plans to consult the
public over a15% council tax increase after the Government decided to abandon the review of the police funding formula.
Devon and Cornwall Police plan to close police stations and offices across the two counties in the next five years as the Force tries to
save £29m from its budget.
Craft & Food Markets
Christmas markets this month in Plymouth and Plymstock.
Plymouth: 26 Nov 2015 - 6 Dec 2015
A wide selection of independent businesses and food producers providing everything from traditional Christmas puddings to unique gift
ideas will be situated along Armada Way in the heart of the city centre.
Plymstock: 18 Dec 2015 - 20 Dec 2015
Visit Plymstock Broadway for stalls selling Christmas food and festive treats.
Bridge Scheme Completed
The second phase of the Laira Rail Bridge walking and cycling scheme is now complete.
A bridge has been installed over The Ride to extend the popular new link even further towards Saltram Meadow and Plymstock and a
permanent access ramp has been built.
The work, which also included fabrication of the bridge and making the necessary alterations to the highway, was carried out by South
West Highways (SWH) and took around four months.
The Laira Rail Bridge scheme connects existing walking and cycling facilities near The Ride (east of the river) with the Laira Cycleway
(west of the river) and forms part of the National Cycle Network Route 27.
Be Safe, Be Seen This Winter
Plymouth’s annual campaign reminds pedestrians, cyclists and motorcyclists – especially children and young people on their school
journeys – to make sure they can be seen during the winter months.
Follow these tips when walking and cycling:
Always choose well-lit routes
Cross the road at a designated crossing place, if possible
Don’t cross between parked cars, as you are more likely to be hidden in shadows or blocked from view
Carry a torch
Keep away from the kerb
Wear bright or fluorescent clothing in daylight or poor light
Wear reflective clothing at night; it shows up in car headlights. Fluorescent clothing is not as visible after dark
Always use lights when cycling in the dark, in the rain or if the weather is overcast – white lights at the front and red at the rear. Make
sure your lights are working – it is illegal to ride on the road with no lights in the dark.
Note: The deadline date for items for January 2016 Magazine is Dec 15
th
2015
Our thanks to the Advertisers who sponsor this Magazine.
Advertisements and service quotes do not imply recommendations on the part of the Church.
Opinions expressed are not necessarily those of the Editor.
Printed & published by St John’s DCC, Hooe, Plymouth UK. © Plymstock & Hooe PCC 2015