1. FROM THE REVD TERRY FREEMAN Dear Friends, Before I was ordained I was a Quantity Surveyor for about ten years and travelled about quite a lot usually listening to the radio. One cold February morning while I was driving to work I heard the following nonsense poem which got me chuckling away to myself. "Spring has sprung, the grass is ris, I wonder where the birdies is? The bird is on the wing, but that's absurd, from what I heard the wing is on the bird". It is a bit early to expect the return of the Summer migrants, but Spring has begun to "sprung" as the poem says, particularly the Spring bulbs and Camellias. Before I retired, my escape from the pressures of parish life was my garden - well mostly my beloved veg patch - I would not claim to be an expert, more a keen, fairly good amateur. Win or lose I would spend many a happy hour pottering in my veg patch and the harvest always tasted better than shop bought. This time of year was preparation time; preparing the soil, digging the bean trench, cleaning out the greenhouse, sorting out the pots and potting up early lettuce to go in the greenhouse. A time of looking forward to warmer days and shorter nights and more quality time to be spent in the beloved patch. However, success always depended on the preparation. It is a bit like the Christian life, it all depends on the preparation and the preparation is our prayer life. Get that right and everything else will be a little easier and more fruitful. Terry Freeman A PRAYER FOR THE MONTH Heavenly Father, keep the door of our hearts that only love may enter them; and keep the door of our lips that only love may speak through them; for the sake of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.To all members of the 8am Eucharist congregations at St Marys & St Johns 8am Services for February 2014Sun 2nd FebNO Service at St Marys Service at St JohnsSun 9th FebService at St MarysthNO Service at St JohnsSun 16 FebNO Service at St Marys Service at St JohnsSun 23rd FebService at St MarysNO Service at St JohnsFAIRTRADE FORTNIGHT 24th FEBRUARY 9th MARCH 2014.

2. Over thirty years ago Christian development agency Traidcraft began working with people in developing countries to help them trade their way out of poverty and today we can test and buy many fairly traded goods from coffee to cotton. THE EDDYSTONE LIGHTHOUSE 3. Our cover picture, from a painting by Jackie Littlejohn, shows The Douglas Tower on the Eddystone Rocks completed 1881 with the part demolished Smeaton's Tower in the background. I have enjoyed painting for as long as I can remember, encouraged originally by my fathers lovely pen and ink drawings, followed by a very enthusiastic Art master, Rex Booth, from Heybrook Bay who helped me obtain a place at Plymouth Art Collage where an endless supply of paint, paper and uninterrupted time for my passion seemed like heaven. I paint from my home at Heybrook Bay in the house my late husband Alan and I built 45 years ago, looking out to sea inspires me all year round. My paintings express my love of life, of the sea and are also inspired by my many years of sailing and beachcombing our lovely coastline. Many of my paintings are worked from 'little magic moment' sketches made sometimes on the back of scraps of paper and stuffed into my bag for future painting extravaganza sessions. More of Jackie's paintings can be seen on the soon to be opened web site www.jackielittlejohn.comTHE NEW BISHOP OF EXETER, THE RT REVD ROBERT ATWELLThe Rt Revd Robert Atwell was born and brought up in Ilford, Essex, on the east side of London. After school he read theology at St John's College, Durham, and trained for the ministry at Westcott House, Cambridge. During training he was privileged to be sent to study at the Venerable English College in Rome, attending lectures with seminarians from around the world and exploring the Eternal City an education in itself. After ordination and a curacy in north London he was appointed Chaplain of Trinity College, Cambridge. From there he took the unusual step of becoming a Benedictine monk at Burford Priory in the Cotswolds. Ten years in monastic life gave him an abiding love of contemplative prayer. Although no longer a monk he maintained the Benedictine vocation as an oblate of the Abbey of Le Bec in Normandy where he tries to make an annual retreat. Before becoming Bishop of Stockport he was for nine years Vicar of St Mary's in Primrose Hill, North London.EVENSONG AT EXETER CATHEDRAL On Sunday 23rd February 2014 the whole Diocese will be praying for the Parish of Plymstock & Hooe and will be The Prayer intention for Sung Evensong at the Cathedral at 4.00pm. A coach to Exeter will be leaving at 1.00pm from Hooe, picking up at Plymstock, and arriving at Exeter about 2.00pm with some free time before joining the congregation for Sung Evensong at 4.00pm; returning about 5.15pm. Cost 8.00. Anyone interested give names to the Churchwardens. 4. THE WOMEN'S WORLD DAY OF PRAYER This is an international, inter-church organisation which produces a Service every year that is always held on the first Friday in March and is celebrated in 170 countries. The Service this year, prepared by the Egyptian committee, is entitled Streams in the Desert. Our local Service is at St Margaret Mary Church, Plymstock, on 7th March 2014 at 2pm. All are welcome to attend, both men and women.WINDSOR CASTLEEarly in January I was invited to Windsor Castle by the Dean of Windsor. The Dean and Chapter of Windsor are one of the Patrons of St Mary & All Saints Church, Plymstock. As a Patron they consult with the Bishop of Exeter on the appointment of a new Rector and as part of this process I was asked to meet with the Dean. The Dean, who is The Rt Reverend David Conner, has responsibility for St Georges, Windsor, and gets involved in many of the Royal State occasions. On the day of my visit there were no royalty in sight, not indeed a corgi! I found the Dean a most interesting man who, in his time, has served as a school Chaplain, the Rector of a large church in Cambridge and most recently as the Bishop to the Armed forces. The Dean and Chapter of Windsor have patronage of a number of Churches in Devon, St Werburghs, Wembury, like us being one of them. The Dean was most interested to hear news of the Parish and we discussed ways in which the Chapter could offer their support. It is hoped that we may be able to arrange a visit from the Dean at some point in the future. The Deans study commanded a wonderful view of the Thames and the surrounding countryside. It was a real privilege to enter into a part of Windsor Castle which is usually beyond the tourist trail and I very much enjoyed my cuppa and chat with the Dean. Since my return, it has been fascinating to discover the number of people who have links with the Dean here locally, from a church member who attended his church in Cambridge, and those who have relatives who went to school with him, to a local clergyman for whom the Dean was his school Chaplain. The world indeed seems at times a small place. Revd Steve Payne.SAVE AND BORROW PLAN FOR TOMORROW 5. A Branch of Hope Credit Union is coming to Plymstock. What is a credit union? A Credit Union is a community-based, non-profit-making cooperative run by trained volunteers, offering a secure savings and low-cost loan facility. How does it work? All savings are put into one pot, and those who want can borrow at a competitive rate of interest, a maximum rate of 12.68% reducing as your loan reduces, so does the interest. This interest pays the running costs of the credit union and any dividend that might be payable to members. Who can join? You have to be over 16, and live, work or have some regular connection in the Plymouth postal area PL1 PL21. There is a junior savings schemes for those under 16. Any business, partnership or community organisation operating in Plymouth can also join. How can it help you? If after ten weeks you can show you are a regular saver, you become eligible to borrow against your savings. For a new member a first loan is normally a maximum of either double your savings or 150, whichever is the lower figure, payable in regular instalments of up to three years for unsecured loans. For instance, a 500 loan for 12 months could cost you only 33.04 in interest with no other charges. We can provide access to free and confidential advice to help you deal with outstanding debts you may have. Is your money safe? All credit unions are authorised by the body which took over responsibilities from the FSA; these are jointly the Prudential Regulation Authority and the Financial Conduct Authority, and the Bank of England; Savings and loans are covered by valuable Life Insurance. In most cases, your loan will be repaid, and your shares will be repaid with a bonus. Your savings are guaranteed by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme which means that, if the credit union becomes insolvent, your savings are safe. What about confidentiality? Members` account details are confidential and maintained under the Data Protection Act. Details of loan requirements and suitable repayment periods can be discussed in confidence. Where will the service point be in Plymstock? This is to be in Plymstock Library, next to The Broadway, on Monday mornings probably from 10.00am to 12.30pm. Details will be advertised locally and in the press, but opening is planned for February 2014. How can I join? Go to the Library during Credit Union opening times as above. You will need to fill in an application form, and provide two types of identification. e.g. driving licence, bus pass, passport, utility bill, bank or building society letters, benefit books or official letters of some kind. This is to show who you are and where you live, and is a legal requirement. With the first deposit there is a one-off non-returnable membership fee of 2 (free for under 16s), plus a minimum of 5 to start your savings (shares). After that you may pay in as much as or as little as you like, per week, per fortnight or per month. Further details from John and Jill Downer, Plymouth 519217, or Peter Mason, Plymouth 668822. NATIONAL AWARD FOR PLYMOUTH CHURCH Congratulations to St Jude's Church who has won the Best Youth Work Employer of 2013 in the national Christian Youth Work Awards. The judges were impressed by the commitment St Jude's Church gave to its Youth and Childrens Minister, Matt Gorton, in his training and especially the care shown to Matt and his family in re-housing them while their home on the church site was gutted and re-furbished. 6. The Revd Tim Smith said Matt had nominated St Jude's, "He appreciated the amount of care the church has put around him". The church supported Matt through University to gain a youth worker degree and he is paid the official youth worker rates. The church has 220 under 18s on its site every week.PLYMOUTH HIGHBURY TRUST CHARITY SHOP RADFORD PARK ROAD, PLYMSTOCK. The shop will be closed from Saturday 25th January until Tuesday 3rd February 2014 for refurbishment . This local charity supports over 500 Plymouth people with learning difficulties through a number of valuable services including: supported living, a day Centre, Social Clubs, advocacy and social events. Why not pop in after Tuesday 3rd February to view our new look and pick up a bargain! Further information from Jackie or Wendy on Plymouth 491305.TWELFTH NIGHT CELEBRATIONS The members of the Plymstock & Hooe team gathered at St Johns on Sunday 5 th January to celebrate the end of the Christmastide. In spite of the wind and rain over 80 people filled the church. The Service started with the traditional Once in Royal Davids City with the first verse sung by Connie Ireland, one of the oldest members of Oreston church. Then the first of nine lessons was read by Daniel Atkins, the youngest member of St Johns. Carols both old and new were sung by groups and congregations as the story of longing for the Messiah was recalled with Christ be our Light sung by St Johns Folk with Sylvia Cooke as soloist. The reading of the Birth of Christ created a stillness in the church as the Plymstock Handbell Ringers rang Away in a Manger. The octet of the Pilgrimaires sang O Holy Night and then all joined in the carol of Silent Night. The mood changed again as the people listened to The Shepherds Pipe Carol by Rutter. Traditional music returned with We Three Kings with solos from Tony Ireland, Richard Harvey and Tony Banbury. Finally, the organ thundered out Hark the Herald Angels Sing and the congregation in joyful mood moved into the hall for a shared tea. YOUNG AT HEART There was no speaker for our meeting in January, so we first discussed possible speakers for future months and then recalled some speakers we had welcomed during the past year, including Joy Robinson about her career as a nurse, Eunice Halliday from Plymouths Food Bank, Celia Steven about the history of Bramley Apples and an entertaining afternoon of popular songs, Karaoke style, by Eddie Robbins. We then heard from our Treasurer, Norma Seaman, about the state of our finances. We next tackled two quizzes set by Eileen Cole, and some of us did not find them very easy! A third quiz, set by Ruth Earl, was a General Knowledge teaser, which kept us thinking. Winners were Norma Seaman, Margaret Mitchell, Eileen Rose and Shirley Foster. A cup of tea and a tempting choice of refreshments, followed by a Raffle, ended a very enjoyable afternoon. -Sylvia Cooke Next Meeting ~ Tuesday, 4th February 2014 at 2.00pm in St Johns Hall New members are always welcome. 7. EARLY SPRING SALE & COFFEE MORNING SATURDAY, 22nd FEBRUARY 2014 10.30am to 12 noon St Johns Church Hall In aid of Church Army and St Lukes HospiceFROM ST JOHNS PARISH REGISTERS BAPTISM: We welcome into Gods family by Baptism: LOLA ROSE PARKER & FRASER PARKER, baptized Sunday 22nd December, 2013, children of Darren & Anna Parker. HOLY MATRIMONY:We offer our congratulations and pray for Gods blessing upon:-SHAUN ROY WARREN and VICTORIA ROBERTA WHITE, married in St Annes Chapel at St Johns Church on 14th December, 2013. FUNERAL OFFICE: We remember those who have lost loved ones and commend to God the soul of:-ALAN ERNEST ROISSETTER who died at St Lukes Hospice on 9th January, 2014, aged 68 years. Alan lived in Hooe since 1967, firstly at South Hill and then at Stone Croft, Hexton Hill. He worked with his father and brother, Terry, in the family Building Business. His skill as a builder and an honourable man made him in constant demand, many a building in the Hooe area has the Roissetter mark. He set up his home on Hexton Hill by renovating the old Bakehouse where he lived with his sons David and Andrew. He will be remembered by villagers every November as the man who positioned Hooes Memorial Stone on Hooe Green. He accepted his illness with great dignity and will be greatly missed. A Service of Thanksgiving was held on 21st January, 2014, at St Johns Church following a private Cremation Service.CHURCH OF THE GOOD SHEPHERD CHILDRENS CLUB (COGS KIDS) The final meeting in 2013 of COGS KIDS club was celebrated with a Christmas Party. After tucking into a variety of sumptuous food including savouries, various desserts and soft drinks the children enjoyed party games including pass-the-parcel and musical chairs. The party ended with the children receiving a small Christmas gift. A good time was had by all including the adult helpers who worked hard to ensure that the event was a success. 8. COGS KIDS Club started again on Wednesday 15 th January 3.30 4.45 pm. All Primary School aged children are welcome. For more details phone 480568. (Photos by Josie Howing-Nicholls) -Allan JonesTHANK YOU With grateful hearts Rosemary & Graham Lea thank very much all those people from the Parish who gave best wishes, cards and many other expressions of goodwill on the recent occasion of their Diamond Wedding Anniversary 9. PLYMSTOCK GARDENING SOCIETY The next meeting on Monday, 24th February 2014, 7.30pm, at Plymstock United Reform Church Hall, Plymstock Road, Oreston, will be:Horticultural Therapy Trust Mr Dennis Trewin (Annual Membership 4.50 ~ Senior Citizens 3. Non members welcome ~ 1 per meeting) Enquiries: 01752 403652.MONOPOLY I Did Not Know This ! (Youll never look at the game the same way again) Starting in 1941, an increasing number of British airmen found themselves as the involuntary guests of the Third Reich and the Crown was casting about for ways and means to facilitate their escape . . . Now obviously, one of the most helpful aids to that end is a useful and accurate map, one showing not only where stuff was, but also showing the locations of safe houses where a POW on the run could go for food and shelter. Paper maps had some drawbacks they make a lot of noise when you open and fold them, they wear out rapidly and, if they get wet, they turn to mush. Someone in MI5 got the idea of printing escape maps on silk. Its durable, can be scrunched up into tiny wads and unfolded as many times as needed and is noiseless. At that time there was only one manufacturer in Great Britain that had perfected the technology of printing on silk and that was John Waddington Ltd. When approached by the government the firm was only too happy to do its bit for the war effort. By pure coincidence Waddington was also the UK Licensee for the popular American board game, Monopoly. Games and Pastimes was a category of item qualified for insertion into Care packages dispatched by the International Red Cross to prisoners of war. Under the strictest secrecy, in a securely guarded and inaccessible old workshop in the Waddington grounds, a group of sworn to secrecy employees began mass producing escape maps, keyed to each region of Germany or Italy where Allied POW camps were situated. When processed these maps could be folded into such tiny dots that they would actually fit inside a Monopoly playing piece. For as long as possible, the clever Waddington workmen managed to add:- 10. a playing token, containing a small magnetic compass; a two part metal file that could easily be screwed together and useful amounts of genuine high denomination German, Italian and French currency, hidden within the piles of Monopoly money. British and American air crews were advised before taking off on their first mission how to identify a rigged Monopoly set by means of a tiny red dot cleverly rigged to look like an ordinary printing glitch, located in the corner of the Free Parking square. Of the estimated 35,000 Allied POWs who successfully escaped, an estimated one-third were aided in their flight by the rigged Monopoly sets. Everyone who did so was sworn to secrecy indefinitely, since the British Government might want to use this highly successful ruse in another, future war. The story was not declassified until 2007, when the surviving craftsmen from Waddingtons, as well as the firm itself, were finally honoured in a public ceremony. Its always nice when you can play the Get Out of Jail Free card !! (Submitted by: Odette Ashenden)ODE TO A CRACKED POT An elderly Chinese woman had two large pots, each hung on the ends of a pole which she carried across her neck. One of the pots had a crack in it while the other pot was perfect and always delivered a full portion of water. At the end of the long walks from the stream to the house, the cracked pot arrived only half full. For a full two years this went on daily, with the woman bringing home only one and a half pots of water. Of course, the perfect pot was proud of its accomplishments. But the poor cracked pot was ashamed of its own imperfection, and miserable that it could only do half of what it had been made to do. After two years of what it perceived to be bitter failure, it spoke to the woman one day by the stream. I am ashamed of myself, because this crack in my side causes water to leak out all the way back to your house. The old woman smiled, Did you notice that there are flowers on your side of the path, but not on the other pot's side? That's because I have always known about your flaw, so I planted flower seeds on your side of the path, and every day while we walk back, you water them. For two years I have been able to pick these beautiful flowers to decorate the table. Without you being just the way you are, there would not be this beauty to grace the house. Each of us has our own unique flaw. But it's the cracks and flaws we each have that make our lives together so very interesting and rewarding. You've just got to take each person for what they are and look for the good in them. So, to all of my cracked pot friends, have a great day and remember to smell the flowers on your side of the path! (Submitted by Doreen Pennyfeather) 11. A THOUGHT FOR THE MONTH The acronym for BIBLE Basic Information Before Leaving Earth. . .AS IT WAS. . . Over a century ago Plymstock was described as:-'A parish and large straggling village in a pleasant valley, near Cattewater Harbour and Plymouth Sound, 3 miles East by South of Plymouth.' The parish consisted of several hamlets: Billacombe, Elburton, Goosewell, Mount Batten, Oreston, Pomphlet, Staddiscombe, Turnchapel, and West Hooe. Within the parish have been found many prehistoric artefacts, preserved, no doubt, by the general lack of development of the area over the centuries.Photo shows Plymstock Church from what is now the Broadway car parkTurnchapel, being placed on the Cattewater, grew and prospered from the shipbuilding yards ancillary trades that became established on the river bank. In 1677 there was a yard for breaming and repairing the King's ships and during the following century a Mr John Cater and a Mr Silas Frost both established shipbuilding and repair yards in the village. It even boasted a wet dock in 1797 and a dry dock a few years afterwards. Even warships were built here for the Royal Navy. Mr Cater built the terrace of houses that line Boringdon Road. At the time of the census on Sunday, March 31 st 1851, the population of the Parish of Plymstock was 3,302, comprising 1,596 males and 1,706 females. The Parish had grown by 330 people since 1841. There were 500 inhabited properties in the Parish, along with 13 uninhabited and two under construction, making Plymstock the largest of the rural parishes that now makes up Plymouth. Although there was some expansion in Plymstock following the arrival of the railway lines to Yealmpton and Turnchapel, it was the advent of the motor bus in the 1920s that brought the greatest increase in housing and population. When speaking at the luncheon held after he had laid the foundation stone of the new Plymstock Broadway shopping centre, Sir George Hater-Hames, Chairman of Devon County Council, declared that the scheme would make Plymstock: 'an individual place that will not be absorbed by that place over the river'. That was on Friday, June 3rd 1960. On April 1st 1967 the parish of Plymstock was absorbed by 'that place across the river', into the City of Plymouth. (from www.plymouthdata.info) (Photo submitted by Margaret Mitchell) 12. ST MARYS CHRISTINGLE COLLECTION amounted to 158.72p for The Childrens Society.(Photograph of St Marys Christingle makers) The HOUSE BOX COLLECTION for The Childrens Society this year was 582.44p. THANK YOU for all the support for 2013, anybody who wishes to join St Marys House Box Giving, please contact:-Betty & Cliff Knight PARISH REGISTERS We welcomed into Gods family through Baptism: St Mary& All Saints: 24th November 2013 1st December 2013LIBBY DREW HUXTABLE, the daughter of Damien and Lyndsay Huxtable. DANIEL RICHERBY, the son of Andrew and Emma Richerby.The Good Shepherd, Oreston: 15th December 2013MAX TRAVIS HOPES, the son of Lloyd and Amy Hopes.THANK YOU to Howard for making and fitting our lovely new star for St Marys Church for Christmas. THANK YOU for all the nice flower displays that were around the church this Christmas. -David Roberts 13. TABLE TOP SALE SATURDAY, 15th FEBRUARY 2014 10am to 12 noon St Mary & All Saints Parish Hall, Church Road, Plymstock. Tea or Coffee Raffle Admission 20p. ~~~~~~~ COFFEE MORNING SATURDAY, 1st MARCH 2014 10am to 12 noon St Mary & All Saints Parish Hall, Church Road, Plymstock. Raffle Bring & Buy Stall In aid of St Lukes Hospice, Turnchapel. ~~~~~~~ CHILDRENS CORNER AT ST MARYS Somebody has provided St Marys Childrens Corner with a very good quality childrens activity book. How kind! Very grateful thanks to our anonymous benefactor it has already been put to good use. Very often several children and maybe parents as well descend on the childrens table during baptisms, weddings and so on. So it would be great if we could build up multiple copies of colouring/activity booklets suitable for the Under-5s. It has been suggested that maybe ten copies of each booklet would be a good target. Probably not too costly to buy-in a few modest booklets? We must see what we can do. Carol Richards can provide further details if youd like to help.St Marys Plymstock Parish Hall Dont miss our next.Worship @ 10am Sunday 9th FebruaryDoughnuts served from 9.50am! This is the ideal Service for families to 40mins. It will be planned with children young at heart! On the Sundays when there is Parish Hall there will be a 10.45am Sungattend, which will last no longer than in mind and for all those who are Worship @10 in the Eucharist in church. 14. Worship @ 10 will take place on the 2 nd Sunday of the month from February July 2014. The Service will be led by a team which will include the Revd Steve Payne (Tel: 213358). ~~~~~~~PLYM VALLEY HERITAGEOn Thursday, 4th December 2013, 43 members enjoyed our annual Christmas Buffet with entertainment provided by Robin Blythe-Lord in the form of the Presidents Quiz, which as ever made us smile when we got the answers right and groan when we didnt! The winner, Martin Kent, is seen with the Presidents Plate duly inscribed. Everyone agreed that it was a very enjoyable evening and a good start to the Christmas festivities. On Thursday, 16th January, 2014, our first guest speaker of 2014 was Chris Ruse, Chairman of the Plymouth & District Archaeological Society. Chris gave an extremely interesting talk about the Plympton pottery dating back to the 1660s and discovered when the development of the McCarthy & Stone retirement flats at Hillside, Plympton, commenced. Chris showed us many photographs of the dig and subsequent work on the cleaning and listing of the many pieces which they uncovered. Alas, the whereabouts of the pottery is still a mystery, but still to this day articles, such as clay pipes, are being found in local gardens by members of the public. Our next meeting will be held on Thursday, 20th February at 7.30 p.m. in St Johns hall. The guest speaker will be Ed Donohue, Manager of Crownhill Fort. Ed will be talking on the history of the Fort. Entrance fee Non-Members 3. Members free. All are welcome.Hooe Village Green The committee are now focusing on completion of the Hooe Village Green application. In the coming weeks, we will be out with our Questionnaire/survey Forms approaching members of the public and asking questions on their use of Hooe Green etc., so please do not think we are selling double glazing or forms of energy saving and walk the other way, as we really do need to collate as much historic evidence as we can to make our application successful. To this end, we would appreciate any photographs or other memorabilia supporting the use of Hooe Green over the past two or three decades. Contact can be made to any of the committee, alternatively Gill Whillock 491039. Finally, we would like to wish you all a very happy, healthy and peaceful New Year. -Gill Whillock, Chairperson, PVH.HOOE & TURNCHAPEL LADIES GROUP We meet at the Hooe & Turnchapel Community Centre on the 1st and 3rd Tuesday of each month at 8.00pm. ALL ladies welcome. 15. Our programme for FEBRUARY 2014 is:FEBRUARY 4thTRAC & THEATRE ROYALFEBRUARY 18thRSPB Mrs WilleyFor further information please contact:-Diane McCarthy (Sec) Tel: 311931SONG AND A PRAYER After learning that `our` room at The Staddy is now free on Tuesday evenings, and that Thursdays are quite difficult for several people, it has been decided to revert to the second Tuesday of each month for `Song and a Prayer`. The next meeting will therefore be on Tuesday, 11th February at 7.30p.m. I hope this will suit everyone! -Jill Downer~~~~~~~~~~~~~ GIRLS BRIGADE FRIENDS AND FAMILY SUMMER TRIP A VISIT TO CARDIFF ON SATURDAY, 12TH JULY, 2014. Leaving Hooe at 8.00am with morning coffee at Sedgemoor Services aiming to arrive at midday and leave again at 5.00pm. Cost of trip 25. (Contact Miss P Miller (Tel: 406136) or Mrs J Osmond (Tel: 837579) for further details. FANSHAWE NURSING HOME in Hooe Road will close in early February 2014 leaving 31 staff redundant and 21 residents in need of new accommodation. Since 1st November 2012 the Home has been in the hands of receivers who have been hoping to find a suitable purchaser, but as no one has been found there is no option other than to close. Opened in May 1990 by Councillor Betty Easton it has provided nursing care in the area and many of the staff have worked there for over 20 years. The house has been extended and altered over the years to comply with the current standard of care. The announcement of the closure was made to staff, residents and relatives on Monday 6 th January 2014. If no buyer can be found, the property will be auctioned in the spring. (In response to a letter from the Diocese to Church Councils)ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES Do you think environmental issues are any concern of the Church? What does the church say about Fair Trade? Currently the Diocese of Exeter wants us to become a Fair Trade Diocese. The idea is to reduce exploitation of workers. We must care for all Gods people. This may lead to slightly increased prices. But we should urge appropriate payment for those working to produce foodstuff and goods that we consume. So individual churches might use Fairtrade tea, coffee and sugar whenever they serve refreshments start to use Fairtrade biscuits, fruit juicetry to use local dairy products whenever possible.Churches should try to explain principles of Fairtrade especially during Fairtrade Fortnight (annually in February/March). And climate change? This actually affects many Anglican Dioceses around the world. Some of these have direct links with UK churches through mission contact and support for projects, e.g. our own support for the Zambian St Lukes Hospital. So the opportunity is there for churches to explain also the principles of energy and resource conservation. The UK General Synod asks all dioceses, PCCs, governing bodies of church schools and church members to take steps to reduce the consumption of energy derived from fossil fuels, to purchase electricity from any supplier providing a Green Tariff and undertaking to invest in the production of energy from renewable sources, to invest in renewable energy sources. 16. And conservation of resources? We might argue that this is all about caring for God`s creation and Gods people. Local church members can use recycled products - e.g. toilet tissue, kitchen rolls, stationery, avoid waste of electricity, water and food; use low-energy light bulbs; notice white goods energy rating; dont overbuy food, keep an eye on use-by dates and judge for yourself whether items are fit for consumption as did previous generations! buy only `free-range` eggs, discourage the use of bottled water, help avoid `food miles; buy locally produced food, avoid the use of `disposable` crockery and cutlery, use environmentally-friendly cleaning and laundry products, support local food banks and charities working with the homeless; buy a Big Issue - some very interesting relevant features in that magazine and you are helping someone make a new start, do not throw to landfill anything which can be recycled, re-used, repaired, composted, shared or donated to church or charitable fund-raising activities, provide nesting/roosting boxes for birds; plant bee/butterfly-friendly bushes.Yes, perhaps in some small ways the Church can do more to protect God`s creation, and witness to His love for all people. What do you think? -Jill Downer / Richard HarveyLocal News Potholes Potholes happen when the road surface breaks up to expose the layers beneath. Traffic is one factor but the main cause is water freezing and thawing during the winter. Water builds up on the surface of roads and footpaths creating pressure that results in holes forming from below. If theyre not repaired the surface will get progressively worse. Which potholes to fix first? Safety is always the priority. Some of the factors taken into account are the size and depth of the hole and the volume and speed of traffic on the affected road. Within the carriageway a hole will need to have a depth of at least 40mm (equivalent to the diameter of a golf ball) and extend in any direction by at least 300mm (i.e. the size of a large dinner plate) before it becomes a pothole. Reporting Potholes To report a pothole or road defect call the Plymouth Transport and Highways 24 hour customer service line on 01752 668000 or use the Do it online page on the Council website: www.plymouth.gov.ukLand Sale Plymouth City Council intends to sell off three parcels of land in Plymstock for possible residential development. Former Downham School, Horn Lane, 54 hectares could support 17 dwellings. Land at Goosewell Road, Staddiscombe 1.37 hectares, possible 25 dwellings. Land at Woodway, Elburton 536 sq.m suitable for housing development.Plymstock Swimming Pool 17. Sherford developers, Red Tree, have stated in a written answer to a councillor question that the indoor heated four lane swimming pool will be constructed, completed and available for use by the public by completion of 700th dwelling. If development commences as expected in 2014 it could be open by 2017. The other indoor facilities are expected to be opened after the 2300 dwelling is completed.Neighbourhood Meeting Concerns were raised at the last Turnchapel, Hooe, Oreston and Mount Batten neighbourhood meeting regarding the unpleasant smells coming from the sewage works. It was requested a representative from South West Water attend the next meeting to discuss these issues. Questions about the highway status of the Broadway shopping precinct were raised as to possible deregulated to allow use by farmers markets and other events. Local councils can now enforce pavement parking laws three areas to be trialled in Plymouth. PCSO advised public to take and report car registration numbers. The next Have Your Say meeting will be in Hooe Baptist Church on Tuesday 25th February 2014 at 7.00pm.Solar Energy Five council building have been fitted with solar panels generating 10,000 of energy savings.Access Plymouth Access Plymouth in partnership with Plymouth City Council and Plymouth Citybus are able to provide a door to door transport service for elderly and disabled residents to travel anywhere in Plymouth at reasonable cost. It is a Dial a Ride service that operates Monday to Friday between 9am and 4.30pm. Dedicated drivers help passengers on and off the bus and to and from your front door. Bookings must be made before 2pm on the day before travel. Fares: 3 return for trips up to 2miles 5 return for trips of 2-4 miles 7 return for trips of 4-8 miles + 1.20 per mile for trips over 8 miles. For further information or to book your place on the bus call Access Plymouth on 01752 600633Quarry Living? Wainhomes (South West) planning application to build 57 homes in Radford Quarry will bring the number of houses planned for quarries in the Plymstock area to nearly 2,000. Three of the developments will be served by only one access road without bus service provision. Community amenities, recreational, sports and children play facilities are lacking in development plans. Extra places for children in local schools are not considered. Local healthcare and healthcare provision is not catered for. Sewage and drainage will create problems for the existing infrastructure. Addition traffic into and out of the area will add pressure on local road system. Environmental, wildlife and lifestyle of local residents affected by the developments have not been recognized. What will life be like in Plymstock in the future?Events in Plymouth in 2014 18. Plymouth City Council will provide 395,000 to help fund major events being held in the city in 2014. Dates of key events: 2 May 100th anniversary of Plymouth. 6 June 70th anniversary of D day 14 June Lord Mayors Day 28 June Armed Forces Day 12/13 July World Cup 16/19 July R M 350th anniversary 20 July Music event on the Hoe 4 Aug 100th anniversary WWI 12/13 Aug National Fireworks 15/17 Aug Flavourfest 8/20 Sept Ocean City Festival 1 Nov 100th anniversary of Plymouth 5 Nov Bonfire night 13 Dec Christmas lights and paradePlusBus PlusBus gives you unlimited bus travel around town, at the start, the finish, or both ends of your train journey. With PlusBus you can make as many journeys as you like on all participating bus operators services. PlusBus is now available to 227 towns and cities across Britain, including Plymouth, Barnstaple, Exeter, Paignton, Torquay, Falmouth, Penryn, Penzance, St Austell, Camborne and Redruth Fares start from 2 a day. Railcard holders get 33% off and children get 50% off Full details e can be found on the website www.plusbus.info.Award winning film The Academy and BAFTA award winning film, Les Miserables, will be shown in Plymstock Library on Monday 17th February 2014 starting at 1.45pm. It runs for 158 minutes and has a 12 certificate. Note: The deadline date for items for March 2014 magazine is February 15th 2014 Opinions expressed are not nescessarily those of the editor. Published by St. Johns DCC, Hooe, Plymouth. UK. Plymstock & Hooe PCC www.plymstockandhooe.org.uk