FROM READER GRAHAM DEE Dear Friends,

As I come to the end of my provisional license year as a Reader I would like to take this opportunity to thank all of you

within this parish for your help and support. It is hard to believe that it is nearly a year since we were at Exeter

Cathedral.

I am looking forward to continuing my work with both the Clergy and the Laity in the form of together being both

messengers and pioneers in mission.

When considering pastoral work it is clear that there can be many opportunities to pass on the message of the scriptures

(being the messenger). The thought that appeals to me most here is that of being both the servant of but also an

ambassador representing the church. I feel that the role of the messenger is key to the church as if the message of God

(the mission of God) is not passed on the church will die.

The role of pioneer is in some ways close to that of the messenger. This image conjures up the nurturing of faith

ensuring that it continues to grow and in order to achieve this looking for new and exciting ways with which to take the

message of God forward into the lives of others. It is about stepping out to unfamiliar territories having faith and trust

in God to guide and strengthen us through the use of the scriptures and of prayer. This sounds like our Mission Action

Plan, doesn’t it!

To finish, can I just ask everyone to take a few minutes of prayer for those caught up in the events 100 years ago this

month when the United Kingdom entered the ‘war to end all wars’. Can we continue to pray that the world may find

peaceful and political solutions rather than resorting to armed conflict to resolve differences. May we all live in love and

peace with all mankind.

Graham Dee

Reader Minister

Father God, help us to use the connections made

through these commemorations to build bridges

across the generations.

Note: We can now announce that Graham’s Licensing will be held on 20th

September 2014 in Exeter Cathedral.

To all members of the 8am Eucharist congregations

at St Mary’s & St John’s

8am Services for August 2014

Sun 3

rd August NO Service at St Mary’s Service at St John’s

Sun 10th August Service at St Mary’s NO Service at St John’s

Sun 17th August NO Service at St Mary’s Service at St John’s

Sun 24th August Service at St Mary’s NO Service at St John’s

Sun 31st August NO Service at St Mary’s Service at St John’s

RE WOMEN BISHOPS

My Comment

The vote on Monday, 14th July, at General Synod which now makes it possible for women to be appointed as Bishops is

long overdue. The Church of England has benefited from the excellent ministry of women as priests for over 20 years and it is now right and proper that they can exercise the ministry of a Bishop if so called.

In this parish we have been blessed by the ministry of many fine women priests and have firsthand experience of their many gifts.

This decision by the General Synod sends out a clear message to society that the church values and celebrates women's ministry.

Not all in the Church as a matter of conscience have welcomed this news. It is important that the Church now moves forward in its vital mission to proclaim God's love whilst recognising and respecting that there will always be different views amongst its members. It is the way that we live with that tension that can offer hope to an often divided world.

-Revd Steve Payne Also find below Bishop Robert’s response - taken from Diocese website:-

Bishop Robert: “I am very pleased that General Synod has approved the legislation and that the Church of England can now move forward together on this issue. I look forward to the day when the first woman bishop is appointed. I pray today for those for whom our decision is a difficult one, as well as for those for whom it brings great joy; that we may grow, worship and move on together.”

A letter received from the Dean and Chapter of Windsor on July 10th 2014

Dear Stephen,

During one of the Sunday services here at St George’s Chapel we pray in turn for each of the Chapter Benefices. We greatly value the historic and current links between the Chapter and your parish, and hope that you will also pray for us in our ministry here at the Castle. You may like to know that we will remember Plymstock and Hooe on the 24

th August.

Please assure your parishioners of our prayers for them and convey to them the good wishes of all at St Georges.

C. Manley Chapter Clerk

NEW ERA FOR THE CHURCH IN DEVON

The Service of Installation of The Right Revd Robert Atwell on Saturday 5th

July started in the High Street of Exeter when the Bishop processed toward the Cathedral Green accompanied by the members from the 131 Church schools in the diocese and the Devon Young Farmers Association led by Barnstable Youth Marching Band.

People started arriving at the Cathedral at least an hour and half before the service which gave time to meet and greet friends and associates from all over the world. There were about 10 large screen televisions around the cathedral so it was possible take part in the service instead of being a bystander. The organist and trumpeters played some very inspiring music as the clergy and dignitaries processed around the cathedral before taking their seats. Then the west door was shut and with three loud knocks the bishop asked to be admitted.

A child asked the question “Who are you and why do you request entry to this Cathedral Church?”

The Bishop replied “I am Robert, a servant of Jesus Christ, and I come as one seeking the grace of God to travel with you in his service”.

A young person asked “Why have you been sent to us?”

The Bishop replied “I was sent to serve you as your Bishop to proclaim the love of Christ and with you to worship and love God with heart and soul, mind and strength.”

Another young person asked “How do you come among us and with what confidence?”

The Bishop replied “I come knowing nothing except Jesus Christ and him crucified and myself a sinner, knowing my need of God.”

The young people concluded “Let us then humble ourselves before the Lord our God and seek his mercy and strength.”

The Bishop and the young people knelt as the choir sang Psalm 121 ‘I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills’.

This set the tone of the service with people from across the world and the diocese taking part in the reading of the Mandate from Justin, Archbishop of Canterbury, the taking of oaths, the anointing and finally the Installation in the Episcopal Seat of the cathedral.

Again a small child addressed the Bishop, “Jesus says: Whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will never enter it. Bishop Robert never forget that first and foremost you are a child of God.”

The Bishop replied “With the help of God I will, for you I am your bishop but with you I am Christian.”

Each section was shared by the congregation in the singing of appropriate hymns. Bishop Michael Langrish, the 70

th Bishop of Exeter, took the Pastoral Staff from the High Altar and handed it to

Bishop Atwell symbolically handing over the care of the diocese. The new bishop then was greeted by people from different branches of the Christian Church and other faiths as well as representatives of the many spheres and occupations in the Diocese.

There followed the New Testament reading from St Paul’s letter to the Colossians and The Gospel of the Good Shepherd. The sermon was full of humour pronouncing that he was a ‘Bishop with L Plates’ but it also had a lot of instruction for the congregation. The prayers of intercessions were led by people from across the Diocese Including Mrs Bridget Vinton, Diocesan President of the Mothers Union, one time member of St John’s, Hooe.

Following the blessings and the final hymns, the Bishop returned to the Cathedral Green to bless the city and the county. Then he called the people gathered outside in the hot sunshine to share the tubs of ice cream with the congregation. A truly memorable day.

The MIDSUMMER MARKET at St John’s on Saturday 28th

June 2012 was a great success.

Our thanks to all who supported and helped in so many ways – donating Raffle prizes, selling tickets, baking cakes, providing plants and items to sell and working in the kitchen providing lunches.

The total raised was £526.00 (£300 at the sale and £226 from the Raffle).

THE NEXT SALE WILL BE ON SATURDAY, 6TH SEPTEMBER 2014.

DEDICATION OF MEMORIAL TO THE FALLEN

SUNDAY 3rd

AUGUST 2014

For many years we have lacked an area or garden where people can remember their friends and relatives who have died during conflict. To commemorate the start of World War 1, the members of St John’s are creating a little area facing the seat by the

south porch. It will be a wrought iron cross with a plaque saying ‘Lest we forget’ and a flower trough. This will be

dedicated after the Service on 3rd August and we invite you to join us for the service of the dedication. It is hoped that

people will place their wooden crosses in the grass at Remembrance-tide in November.

EVENSONG at St John’s

SUNDAY 31st AUGUST 2014

at 4.00pm.

Forthcoming Events at St John’s:

SALE Saturday, 6th

September 11am – 12.30pm

ART & CRAFT EXHIBITION Fri/Sat 26th

& 27th

September

MISS LAUNA EVE died peacefully at The Retreat Residential Home in Hooe on Tuesday 8th July aged nearly 103.

Her funeral will be held at St John's, her church since she moved to live in Hooe in 1929. The Service will be on Wednesday, 30

th July 2014 at 12 noon.

She asked all her friends to join together in remembering her at a buffet lunch to be held in the Church Hall after the

Service. FROM ST JOHN’S PARISH REGISTERS

BAPTISM: We welcomed into God’s family by Baptism:

Sunday 6th July 2014 OLIVER JOHN BENNETT, son of Neil & Anne Bennett

Dear Oliver John

When two souls come together in love and unity, They bind and entwine to create beauty in another.

This new and innocent soul is a magnificent gift – To be cherished and loved as one of God’s riches.

It is to you, dear Oliver, to whom I talk, When I say ‘welcome’ let us support you in life’s walk.

For today is a celebration of everything you are, With family and friends together in par.

-Beccy Morgan INTERMENT OF ASHES

3rd July 2014 MICHAEL WOOD, late of Bovey Tracey, buried with his wife. ___________________

‘YOUNG @ HEART’

At our July meeting, on a nice sunny afternoon, we had a visit by the Reverends Jenny and Dave Appleby, who have recently joined the Plymstock team of churches.

Jenny began by telling us of their origins. She came from Essex, near Colchester, the oldest recorded town in Britain, being of Roman origin. She was born in a small village in the country and attended a Methodist chapel and school, later attending a school in Colchester. She then went to a Teachers Training School in London to train for work with young people.

Dave came from Consett in Durham with a population similar to the Plymstock area. Steel workers were close by and the light of the blast furnaces could be seen from afar. He attended a Wesley Chapel and went down South for holidays, while Jenny’s family usually travelled North.

On leaving school, Dave joined the Steel Works as a labourer doing shift work. In 1980 the Steel Works were closed and he was out of work for a year. He went to Cliff College in Durham, studying the Bible which he enjoyed.

After training, Jenny worked in Consett, being on the streets helping young people at night. She joined the Methodist Church and heard about Dave whilst in Consett but didn’t meet him until later. They eventually married and had their daughter, Helen. They later moved to Middlesborough and Dave worked in a hospital part-time, in an Information Centre and then for the Probation Service. Jenny persuaded him to go to University where he studied to be a Youth Worker at a Community Centre. They liked the variety of shops there and also became interested in football supporting Middlesborough. They moved several times whilst there.

Jenny worked for the Frontier Youth Trust through the churches. The youngsters did not usually attend church. During that time they became involved with a Christian Community, they attended a Church of England church and became associated with the Celtic Saints and learned from the Northumbria Community, which they joined.

Dave showed us a picture of Holy Island, also Cuthbert’s Island named after St Cuthbert. He would often be cut off by the tides and spent a lot of time alone in prayer.

In Durham the Cathedral clock chimed every quarter of an hour and sleep was difficult! They attended Morning Prayer daily and were later ordained in York Cathedral. Their daughter Helen had to get used to having two parents as curates and later Vicars!

They moved to Leicester having responsibilities for two different churches.

One of Jenny’s friends, Margaret, moved to Callington in Cornwall and they travelled down to visit her and her husband, Gary. Whilst there Dave took Gary’s mother’s Funeral Service. Gary took them for a car ride and they visited Plymstock, Hooe and Turnchapel and had a drink at Jennycliff Café. A year later they saw the post advertised and recognised it from their recent visit! They applied for the joint post and eventually moved to Plymstock Rectory, being licenced in May.

We all sang a Celtic Blessing with them:-

May the peace of the Lord Christ go with you wherever He may send you.

May He guide you through the wilderness, protect you through the storm.

May He bring you home rejoicing at the wonders He has shown you. May He bring you home rejoicing

once again into our doors.

(from The Northumbria Community: Celtic Daily Prayer)

Ruth gave a vote of thanks to Jenny and Dave and we all enjoyed tea and nibbles before leaving. -Sylvia Cooke

Next Meeting ~

Tuesday, 5th August 2014, at 2.00pm in St John’s Hall

when we will have our party.

FATHER TERRY FLEMING

Father Terry was born in Plymouth in March 1937 and was brought up in Plymstock (except for four years as a young boy in Scotland). He studied for the priesthood at Oscott College in company with two other young Plymothians and the three were referred to as ‘the Plymouth Brethren’.

He was ordained in 1961 in Plymouth’s cathedral church of St Mary and St Boniface and served at Falmouth and Weymouth until he volunteered to serve in the Plymouth diocese’s mission in western Kenya in 1969. He loved Kenya from the time he arrived and his warmth and kindness soon won him many friends. With a fellow priest he founded a new parish in Chebokaka and then built a school for girls and organized womens’ hygiene and childcare education, becoming fluent in the Lubukusu language.

He returned to the Plymouth diocese in 1975 serving at Beaminster where he became very involved in the Ecumenical Movement, working with members of other Christian traditions and for over 20 years he led an annual ecumenical pilgrimage to Taize.

He returned to Plymouth in 1981, firstly at Beacon Park/Callington and then ‘home‘ to St Margaret Mary’s in Plymstock in 1993 until he retired from the active priesthood in 2009 due to ill health. This was partly due to the after effects of a fall from a ladder. Months later, on his ‘return to duty‘, after this event, as he emerged from the vestry to celebrate his first Sunday Mass, he was somewhat embarrassed to be greeted by his congregation with an affectionate, spontaneous standing ovation.

He passed away peacefully on 21st June 2014 and his funeral Mass was concelebrated by Bishop Mark and all the priests

of the diocese, fittingly at the same cathedral church where he was ordained, 53 years before. -John Dow

COMMEMORATING THE CENTENARY OF WORLD WAR 1

The Queen is to lead the nation in commemorating the centenary of the outbreak of the First World War at a Service in Glasgow Cathedral on 4

th August where she will be joined by other heads of state.

The day will end with a vigil at Westminster abbey where a single candle will be extinguished at 11pm, a century on from the moment when, in the words of Sir Edward Grey, Britain’s Foreign Secretary at the time: “the lamps are going out all over Europe”.

In the UK villages, towns and cities are marking the centenary. As a nation we will honour the fallen, recognising their service and sacrifice for our country and we will remember all who have served and suffered as a result of conflict.

Troops from Europe, Africa, Asia, America and Australasia took part in the First World War, and many died, making it appropriate for every community to commemorate and reflect on the events.

DARTMOOR AND A DIFFERENT KIND OF HERO

In the First World War there were about 15,000 men who were conscientious objectors; the vast majority were Christians. Some served as non-combatant troops, others were exempt as their jobs were of national importance but others were arrested and court marshalled for their refusal to fight. One of those who was court marshalled said, “My firm rooted conviction is: war is contrary to the teachings of Jesus Christ. Therefore I respectfully, but absolutely, refuse to take part in that which is so deep rooted in my mind as wrong.”

Once court marshalled they were imprisoned and transferred to labour camps. Dartmoor Prison was used as a large work camp for the objectors. Among the men in Dartmoor were some of the early leaders of the Pentecostal movement in England. They held weekly Bible studies and praise and prayer meetings and were joined by Christians from other denominations. This had a positive impact on the spread of the Pentecostal movement.

After a couple of years most of the men were released to do SEA SATURDAY

On 28th June the Church of the Good Shepherd celebrated Sea Saturday. We were thinking about all the people who work

on the sea & the creatures that live in the sea. There were over 30 people in the Church Hall, with ages ranging from 1-90+ and fun was had by all. There were many craft activities to keep everyone busy including making sailing boats: making sea pictures with foam shapes; decorating boxes with shells; colouring and word search. There was also singing, fishy jokes and the bible story on DVD of ‘Jesus calming the storm on the Sea of Galilee’. The story showed us that when we are frightened it is good to know that Jesus is with us and he will restore calm.

We then went down to Oreston Quay for some games with balls & a parachute. Unfortunately it began to rain so the parachute became a very good umbrella. Steve then said some prayers & blessed the sea. A cross was thrown onto the sea.

It was then back to the Church Hall for a fish & chip tea. Thank you to everyone who made the afternoon a success.

-Lin Miller

The COFFEE MORNING on Saturday 5th July raised £146. Thank you to all the helpers.

-D. Roberts REVD. JOHN & MARGARET ALDOUS

John and Margaret are moving away from Plymouth to live near family in Poole this summer.

Following John’s last mid-week Service on July 15th at St Mary’s, John and Margaret were presented with a gift token for

their new home in appreciation for all his ministry in the parish.

We pray for them as they settle into their new surroundings and take up fresh opportunities of service.

Thank you so very much for yesterday and the gift card, etc, the generosity of the parish has overwhelmed me somewhat. Rest assured that Margaret and myself will spend wisely and obtain something that will always remind us of Plymstock and Hooe. It has been a pleasure to be a part of your team and I am sure that it will go from strength to strength. We both wish you all the very best as we hold you in our prayers.

John & Margaret

HOPE CREDIT UNION – PLYMSTOCK COLLECTION POINT

The Plymstock collection point for Hope Credit Union is now well in operation, and is held in Plymstock Library from 10.15am to 11.45am every Monday that the library is open.

We have had a steady trickle of customers, some of whom want to invest in such a positive community venture and others who have opened Share Accounts for saving. The Credit Union also offers a Christmas Savings Club, and the Under-16s are catered for with their own share accounts. Many parents and grandparents wish to save regularly for their families and find that by putting away a little money regularly the money pot grows into a worthwhile amount towards those more expensive items young people may need in the future. The practice of regular saving can also be a useful way for young people to learn to budget in later life.

The Credit Union movement has been heartily endorsed by the Archbishop of Canterbury, the Rt Revd Justin Welby, and also by our local Member of Parliament, Gary Streeter.

If you feel we can help in any way, please come along to Plymstock library on a Monday morning, where you will find

volunteers willing to give advice or help you get started. -Jill & John Downer

A THOUGHT FOR THE MONTH

Love in our hearts isn’t put there to stay;

Love isn’t love, ‘til we give it away.

FROM ST MARY’S PARISH REGISTERS

In June we welcomed into God’s family through Baptism: 1

st June EMILY ROSE MAYHEW-BRADLEY, the daughter of Christopher and Danielle Mayhew-Bradley.

8

th June ELLIS PETER CANNING and SAMUEL JAMES CANNING, the sons of Christopher and Chloe Canning.

15

th June MACIE JESSICA WIGGAN-PEARCE the daughter of Lauren Wiggan and Gregory Pearce.

FUNERAL OFFICE:

We remember those who have lost loved ones and commend to God the soul of:

3rd

July 2014 ROSS JAMES FRIEND who sadly died on 13th June after a motor bike accident aged 20 years.

The son of Sarah, brother of Louis and Tommy and grandson of Brian and Sue Collins.

Ross was born in Plymouth’s Freedom Fields hospital. He began his schooling at Ford Park Primary before going on to Stoke Damerel and then to Plymstock School. Following that he completed a mechanics course at City College which reflected his love and obsession with motorbikes.

Ross packed a lot into his all too short a life. He has been described as active, mischievous and cheeky, full of life and at times could be quite hyper, he liked a practical joke. He boxed, he played semi-professional football for a number of local Plymouth teams and he won a scholarship at tennis.

At home he was very loving and protective to the whole family. He always made sure that they were safe. He was a people person; always having time for people and would speak to everyone and help where he could. He had many friends, known to them by the nickname ‘Friendo’ and by the family as ‘Mr Rossi’.

These are just some of the memories of Ross and of happier times.

Ross was someone who clearly lived life to the full. A strong willed person who had no fear, who would try anything but yet he was also someone who could make real connections with all whom he got to know.

The Funeral Service was on 3rd

July at St Mary & All Saints Church, the Revd Steve Payne officiated. Donations were for the Critical Care Unit at Derriford Hospital and Devon Air Ambulance.

PLYMSTOCK COMMUNITY FESTIVAL

SATURDAY, 30th AUGUST 2014

11.00am to 4.30pm

DOWNHAM PARK

(Behind The Broadway)

PLYMSTOCK CHURCHES WORK TOGETHER

Jesus spent most of his ministry communicating with people in the towns, villages, in the countryside, by the lakes and up the mountains. The synagogue was important to him but most of his ministry was outside it and it is a marvellous model and challenge for us especially at a time when our MISSION ACTION PLAN in all our four churches is being put into action, reaching out to the community of Plymstock.

On the festival day we will have:-

A team putting up our gazebos with the banner ‘Plymstock Christians Work Together’.

100 Christian books to give away.

Colourful Christian books for children, exciting Christian novels for teenagers and books for adults.

Every church provides Christian literature about their church.

Colouring sheets with Biblical themes.

Decorating biscuits with icing sugar and topped with hundreds and thousands.

Come and join us in all the fun of the Community Festival

We need volunteers to put up and take down the gazebos.

To help on the stalls. No need to spend all day, an hour would be great!

Just come along and give moral support to those working on the stalls.

Please pray, for prayer is the cornerstone of all they do.

I will be involved in all the organisation until mid-August but on the day my daughter Deborah Warley (Elburton Methodist) will be in charge.

-Brian Hancock

BROWNIES UN-EARTH TIME CAPSULE

The 1st Plymstock Brownies visited the vicarage garden on 16th June 2014 to

dig up their time capsule which was originally buried 18 years ago by Elizabeth Ramsey, the former Brown Owl.

The only clue where the capsule was buried was an old photo and after a few unsuccessful attempts it was eventually found!

The photo shows Brown Owl, Diane Gavin, and Brownies examining the contents which included old photos, an old Brownie handbook and letters from former Brownies. They then added a new photo and information about the 100

th

Brownie birthday, which is being celebrated this year, and re-buried the capsule, ready to be dug up on another Brownie miles.

-Diane Gavin

A LETTER OF THANKS FROM THE REVD ANNE LEGGE TO ST MARY’S CONGREGATION

“Thank you so much for bringing us your Zambia donation, which is greatly appreciated.

We are very grateful to everyone in your church who has kindly donated to our visit to St Francis’ Hospital, Katete.

We have already spent about £1500 on medical supplies, as requested by the medical staff (oximeters, glucose machines and strips, and endotracheal tubes, plus an autoclave). We also plan to take as many small Christian gifts as we can for Mothers’ Union members, church members and those we meet on our pastoral visits to the villages. We shall take the little fish pendants which you gave us and we are also buying some small pendant crosses, prayer cards, bookmarks with bible verses, MU badges, pencils, pens with bible texts and even bouncy balls with ‘Jesus loves you’ on them.

In addition, we plan to take as much money with us as we can, to support projects and obvious needs which we will undoubtedly discover.

The hospital church is in need of a keyboard to support the singing at Sunday and midweek Services (about 150 attending each of 3 weekly Services). We shall probably try to buy one out there as we are running out of luggage space. The priest at the hospital (Father James) has also asked for a printer. We intend to supply formatted Service sheets, as there are so few books there and a printer would enable them to print more when ours are worn out.

We also support Tikondane, a community next door to St Francis, where many very poor families and individuals live. We have children’s clothes, shoes and soft toys to take there.

The needs are endless and we can only do a little to make life easier for our brothers and sisters in Zambia. Thank you for helping us to do this. We look forward to sharing some pictures and reflections with you after the trip.

With every blessing and our thanks.

Anne”

ST MARY’S UNDER 5s GROUP

Jennifer Daniels stepped down from her role as Leader of this group at the end of the summer term. We are very grateful for her commitment, enthusiasm and loyalty.

Our thanks also go to Sylvia Wall, our pianist, who is leaving the group.

The first meeting of the group next term will be on Monday, 8th

September, 1.30-3pm.

New member are always welcome!

Contact the clergy for details.

QUAYSIDE ARTISTS, ORESTON

The Quayside Artists Exhibition in June raised £276.64 for the Church of the Good Shepherd Restoration Fund.

On September 26th & 27

th we shall be taking part in the craft display at St Johns, Hooe. Please make a note in your diary,

as the craft work is of a very high standard and well worth a visit.

GENDER-BASED VIOLENCE

Advance notice – for your diary

CONFERENCE SATURDAY 29TH NOVEMBER 2014

10.00am for 10.30am start to 3.30pm

St. ANDREW’S MINSTER CHURCH ROYAL PARADE PLYMOUTH PL1 2AD

Full details to follow, or contact:-

Exeter Diocese Registered charity Number 250823

Janet Miller, Mothers’ Union Social Policy Officer, Exeter Diocese 07841 045972

John Vinton, conference coordinator 01364 643482

conferencemu@gmail.com

TRAIDCRAFT

In March this year, Bob and Ruth Davidson were fortunate enough to visit Chile to meet Traidcraft producers. We saw the hard work that takes place and the benefits of Traidcraft’s help.

Honey and blueberries are produced by the ‘Apicoop’ co-operative. When they started, the beehives were shoddy and the workers lived in houses that we would consider unfit for human habitation. Initially, with the help of a German fair-trader and more recently, Traidcraft, they have built up facilities and increased production of high standard produce. We were told that the main objective of the co-operative ‘is to improve the quality of life of its members and offer support services to the agricultural activities of the cooperative and to its members’.

When they had installed good, fit for purpose, beehives and improved processing facilities, the co-operative was able to invest in improved housing for its workers. They still require the help of Traidcraft as farmers have to replace bushes after about five years, ensure adequate water supply and cope with other difficulties caused by climate change.

Both the honey and blueberries are essential ingredients of Traidcraft ‘Geobars’. Support for Traidcraft products is important so that technological advice and investment might continue.

Other Traidcraft producers we visited included the Lautaro vineyard. Managers spoke highly of Traidcraft’s help in establishing their co-operative and marketing high quality wine. If they could sell more wine, they could bring other producers into their co-operatives. Unfortunately, they need more help to access global markets, which Traidcraft is unable to do at present.

In 2013, Traidcraft sales were lower than in previous years. When we count our pennies and choose to buy cheaper products instead of fair-trade products, we are making life much harder for producers. They are working hard to produce high quality products. They deserve to earn enough to be able to afford to send their children to school, obtain health care, which the state only provides to a basic level in Chile, and live in houses with running water and electricity. They also need to be provided with technological advice, for example, how to avoid damage during unexpected frost. Traidcraft’s help to them is still vital to maximize high quality production.

The next time you buy a bar of chocolate, have a look at the percentage of cocoa powder present. Traidcraft chocolate usually has 55% to 70%. How much does yours have?

What will you select when choosing between a bargain basement product and a fair-trade product? Where your budget is ‘tight’, you could just buy one Traidcraft item. Happy ethical shopping! -Ruth Davidson

LOCAL NEWS Book of Wonder Over 100 amazing facts about Plymouth have been brought together in a book that will help show off Britain’s Ocean City.

The publication, which is primarily intended for potential investors, features a mixture of quirky and fascinating knowledge nuggets all beautifully illustrated with stunning photographs and designs that will catch the eyes of movers and shakers in the region, Whitehall and beyond.

The information is a combination of modern and old, industry and commerce which all help sell Plymouth as a place with a fascinating past, a lively present and an incredible future. Did you know?

Plymouth is the greenest city in the UK with 40 per cent of the city green space

Houdini challenged carpenters from Devonport naval base to make a box from which he could not escape. He was nailed inside the box at his show at the Palace Theatre and escaped in 12 minutes

Scott of the Antarctic was a Plymouth Boy – he’s one of the top 100 Britons

More on the websites of Plymouth City Council and Destination Plymouth

Radford Woods Radford Woods was officially designated a Local Nature Reserve on 19th June. It covers 37.2 hectares at Plymstock. As well as broad leaf woodland there are also wetland and grassland habitats and the site includes such features as streams and old quarries. The reserve is crossed by three rights of way and the Erme Plym trail.

Horsham Playing Fields The City Council last month agreed a 35 year lease for the transfer of the pavilion and playing fields at Horsham to the trustees of Plymstock Albion Oaks Rugby Football Club under the Government Community Asset Transfer Policy.

In a 3 phased development of the site the Club will:

Extend and upgrade the existing pavilion to create a commercial kitchen, dining area, changing rooms, function room and disabled toilet facilities;

Provide a new changing block providing 18 new changing rooms for ladies and girls teams.

Refurbish existing changing rooms. In addition the Club will look to install flood lighting.

Library e-books for free Library members in Plymouth can now get e-books and audiobooks for free using their library cards. Anyone with a smartphone, tablet, PC, laptop or other digital device with an internet browser will be able to enjoy a range of best-selling novels, well-known classics, autobiographies and more. The service will be available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, anywhere in the world and there are hundreds of popular fiction and non-fiction titles to choose from, as well as books for children and teens. There will also be a collection of audiobooks available to download. More information on www.plymouth.gov.uk, libraries, ebook website.

The Co-operative Way The City Council has launched a new walking guide for the Co-operative Way. It is a 15 mile circular walking route that runs around the north of the city. It starts and ends at Central Park and includes a number of the city's parks, green spaces and nature reserves. The guide includes a varied range of information including the history of Central Park and Plymouth Zoo, offers a unique insight into the last moments of a French solider invading Crownhill Fort and explains why Ham Woods was so important to one of the greatest English soldiers who ever lived and includes photos of the inside of Leigham tunnel and an explanation of a particularly important toilet found in Thorn Park! Be one of the first to get a copy of the guide by registering your address by email at prow@plymouth.gov.uk or call 01752 304233 or by downloading it from www.plymouth.gov.uk/coopway [5MB]

Cycle Map A new free up to date cycle map for the Plymouth city area is now available in printed form and on the Council’s website: www.plymouth.gov.uk or www.fourpointmapping co.uk

Heritage Lottery Fund Grant Plymouth is celebrating after scooping £12.8M from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) to create a major new historic and cultural attraction at the very heart of the city. The HLF has earmarked more than half of the cash needed (a total of £12,873,500) for the city to create the much anticipated £21M ‘History Centre’ that will breathe life into the city’s world-famous figures and most precious historic collections. Now the work to create the History Centre really begins…

We're gathering together stories, ideas and suggestions from people across Plymouth and beyond to help create our new, exciting historic and cultural centre that will breathe life into our most influential historic figures such as Drake, Scott and Darwin and share some intriguing historic gems that the city has been hiding!

Read more about early plans for Plymouth's history centre (this is the working name only) and get involved by sharing a piece of history, making a suggestion for the centre or simply showing your support. Also discover some of the fantastic historic stories Plymouth has to tell in future issues of Parish News.

Council’s Pledges

Only 21 of Plymouth City Council’s pledges were printed in last month’s Parish News. The full list of the commitments can be found in the Cabinet agenda for the 17 June at www.plymouth.gov.uk

New Regulations Consumer Contracts Regulations, that came in to force in June, gives consumers greater protection when buying goods or services, greater cancellation and refund rights, no more unexpected pre-ticked box charges or excessive call charges for customers and clarification on digital download rights. It will particularly affect traders such as builders, gas engineers, plumbers, door to door salesmen, anyone operating a business from a website. Check out the Consumer Contracts Regulations on the internet for more information.

Note: The deadline date for items for Sept 2014 Magazine is August 15

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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 2014.

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