FROM THE REV’D DAVE APPLEBY

Dear Friends,

The Trouble with ‘Normal’

September already! Where did summer go? As the school children return totheir studies, we feel the year moving forward into the next phase, andAutumn begins to beckon. And while some activities ‘get back to normal,’ new things are around the corner too, which will keep us fresh.

Saturday 12th September sees two exciting events, as Rev. Vanessa Applegate becomes the new Pastor at

Hooe Baptist Church. And on the same day, Rev. Dame Sarah Mullally becomes the first woman Bishop in the Diocese of Exeter and takes up her post in Crediton. Hopefully we’ll see her visit Plymouth before long.

The Mission Community of Plymstock & Hooe has a fellowship weekend in the beautiful and relaxing setting of Sheldon in October, and the work of mission and discipleship moves up a gear.

Someone once sang ‘the trouble with normal is it always gets worse’. I think what the singer meant was that, if we allow things to stay the same for too long, they become established, as if ‘this is the way things have always been’, and then we are ‘stuck’. For many, that is a picture of Devon life; as if things donot change here, and we are stuck. But I would disagree. Devon County Council is looking for new ways to involve local communities in delivering its services. And Plymouth City Council’s ‘Love our past: step into the future’ initiative seeks to help us learn from what has gone before in this area, so we can more easily welcome what comes next. That doesn’t sound like ‘normal’, or being stuck, to me.

Jesus didn’t do normal very well either, much to the annoyance of many around him, including the religious leaders and those who were part of the establishment. He came to help those who had got stuck in their lives to live a new life, a life centred around God and his values. This new life would take them to new places and bring new experiences and they would never stand still and be ‘normal’ again. And this new life is available to us today.

September - a new school term, the beginnings of a new chapter in the year, and changes around us. The future is exciting, because we don’t know what’s there, and it’s up to us to shape it!

Rev Dave Appleby

PARISH OF PLYMSTOCK AND HOOE

8am Parish Service of Holy CommunionSt John’s — 8am Communion 1st & 3rd SundaysSt Mary’s — 8am Communion 2nd & 4th Sundays

________________________________________________

EVENSONG at St John’s Church has resumed for the summer months on the 2nd Sunday of the month at4.00pm.

ANOTHER COACH TRIP

Our next trip coach trip will be to Clarks Village and Wells.This is your chance to do some early Christmas Shopping in any one of the various retail shops in this

complex. From here we continue to Wells where the drop off for coaches is only a 2 minute walk from theCathedral Green.

On Wednesdays there is a very good market selling fresh local produce at reasonable prices.

Entry to the Cathedral is free but donations are welcome on leaving.We are going on Wednesday, October 7th, and it will cost £25.

We leave at 8.30am from the bus stop opposite Lidl Plymstock.Please let me know if you are interested, as soon as possible,

by phoning 404481.Margaret Ayres

PARISH FELLOWSHIP WEEKEND

FRIDAY 23rd - SUNDAY 25th OCTOBER 2015

SHELDON COMMUNITY, DEVON

We would love for you to join us for our Parish of Plymstock & Hooe Fellowship Weekend. As we domore together across the Mission Community we thought it would be fun to go away together, spendtime socializing and building friendships.

We hope the weekend will be a relaxed, informal time. You will be able to pick and choose what you do.There will be a range of social activities for you to enjoy if you wish; some of which will be faith based.There will also be opportunities for worship and quiet time throughout the weekend.

Sheldon is a Christian community based in a beautiful converted farm in the Teign Valley, north ofBovey Tracey.

The cost is £88.00 which includes your accommodation and all meals (apart from a trip to the pub forSaturday lunch).

More information and booking forms are available in each church and should be returned, along with a£28 deposit, to the clergy, Tim Provost or Rob Wevill as soon as possible.

DAYS OF PRAY AND REMEMBERANCE

On Sunday, 23rd August, the four churches of the Parish of Plymstock & Hooe worshipped together atthe Church of the Good Shepherd, Oreston, at 10am.

In St George's Chapel Windsor the Dean and Canons, the patrons of St Mary & All Saints, Plymstock,remembered Plymstock & Hooe in their prayers.

Friday, 25th September, will be celebrated at St John's, Hooe, as the church's ‘birthday’, as on that dayin 1855 the then Bishop of Exeter consecrated the church and called the building ‘St John's’.

On this day, the Diocese prayer rota asks the people of Devon to pray for the Parish of Plymstock &Hooe, its people and clergy.

So very appropriate days for us to bring our churches to God in thanksgiving.

AS IT WAS………….

1st Plymstock Church Cadet Corps leaving Plymstock Church in 1963 after their monthly Church Parade andmarching with trumpets, bugles, and drums back to the their main assembly point outside the Fire Station atDean Cross.

PLYMSTOCK COMMUNITY FESTIVAL TIME

SATURDAY, 5th SEPTEMBER ~ 11.00am – 4.30pm

Jesus spent most of his time not in the Synagogue but reaching out to people in the community. May wefollow Jesus’ example strengthened, encouraged and inspired by the Holy Spirit.

Once again we will have a display of Church pamphlets and magazines, a marvellous selection of Christianbooks and novels for children, teenagers and adults, all free. It is an opportunity to communicate with thepublic through the materials and talking about Jesus, if asked. There will be imaginative Christian themes forchildren to colour, cut out and generally have fun.

This year the Revs Dave and Jennie Appleby will be organizing the ‘Prayer Tent’. It is a new initiative for thefestival, an opportunity for people to receive prayer in the privacy of the ‘Prayer Tent’.

We need your prayers as prayer is the absolute bedrock of all we do. Could you help for one hour on one ofthe stalls as we are encouraging people from all the Plymstock churches to help. Just a visit to the stalls tosupport fellow Christians would be greatly appreciated.

Well! What an exciting day in prospect. Our banner proclaims ~

‘PLYMSTOCK CHRISTIANS WORK TOGETHER’ -Brian Hancock

TABLE TOP SALE

SATURDAY, 12th SEPTEMBER 2015

10.00am to 12 noon

St Mary & All Saints Parish Hall, Church Road

Tea or Coffee ~ Admission 20p.

For your Diary:- NOVEMBER MARKET

SATURDAY, 28th NOVEMBER 2015

10.00am to 2.00pm

St Mary & All Saints Parish Hall, Church Road

FROM THE PARISH REGISTER

We welcomed into God’s family through Baptism at St Mary’s on

26th July RILEY MITCHELL BANKS, the son of Cameron andDeeanne Banks;

and also JACK WILLIAM MENZIES, the son of Gary Menzies and Katrina Hooper.

________________________

VINCENT WARREN EDUCATIONAL TRUST PRIZE FOR READING –

SHAUN LAVIS, Pomphlett Primary School

‘The Rev Vincent Warren was a local Church of England vicar in Plymstock,who was very passionate that children should have good Literacy skills. Heestablished an educational foundation to support children’s literacy in theParish of Plymstock and Hooe and, every year, the Foundation contributes aprize to each local school for the child who has made the greatestimprovement in their Literacy skills. Shaun joined the School in the Juniorsand has not always found learning, and reading in particular, to be easy. Hehas had to really apply himself in order to make the improvement needed toreach the level of reading skill expected of students of his age. He has beenvery successful and has made an incredible FOUR National Curriculumlevels of progress in his time in the Juniors (expected progress is two levels)and he is now able to read really well, with all the benefits to the rest of hislearning that goes with that.’ – Des Walsh, Headteacher, Pomphlett Primary.

Pictured is Shaun receiving his award. Well done Shaun!

FROM ST JOHN’S PARISH REGISTERS

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

26th July TABITHA SKORKA-BROWN, the daughter of Jessica and Luke.

HOLY MATRIMONY: We offer our congratulations and pray for God’s blessing upon:

15th August JOSHUA KALLE WOOD and BRIONY LYELL

FUNERAL OFFICE:

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

DR. GERALD DAVID WASLEY aged 87 years. The Service was held at St John’s Church on 12th August 2015, the Rev’d Steve Payne officiated. The ashes will be taken to Efford Crematorium to be with his wife and other family members. Donations were to SCOPE.

_________________________

EVENSONG at St John’s Church

SUNDAY, 13th SEPTEMBER 2015

at 4.00pm

MUSIC AT ST ANDREW’S

St John’s organist, David Stevens, will be playing in St Andrew’s Minster on Wednesday, 2 nd September,2015. This commences at 1.10pm. Free admission, lunches available.

‘YOUNG @ HEART’

At our August meeting we welcomed back the accordionist, Jim McMullin, and his wife Barbara, whoentertained us with Jim’s wonderful playing and Barbara’s wit.

Jim started with ‘Under the Bridges of Paris’ followed by a jolly composition in waltz time called ‘PrincessEsme’. Esme, 4, lives with her family next door to them and he has written this tune in her honour. It hasbeen entered in a competition – we all considered it lovely and well deserving of a prize. It is hoped thatEsme will play it on her 16th birthday and maybe on her wedding day.

This was followed by ‘Aint Misbehaving’, then some romantic melodies, ‘I don’t know why I love you like Ido’ and ‘Let me call you Sweetheart’ and the ‘Alphabet Song’ (‘A’ you’re adorable, etc).

The Beatles ‘Yellow Submarine’ took us on to ‘Spanish Eyes’ then into a second childhood with ‘OldMacDonald had a Farm’ which we accompanied with lots of mooing!

Back to romance with ‘Chanson d’Amour’ (song of love) and a ‘Fiddler on the Roof’ song ‘If I were a richman’. We were asked if ‘Bill Bailey’ had yet come home? Then off to America with ‘American Patrol’ andthen ‘Blue Moon’ to acknowledge two full moons in the last month.

Romance again with ‘In other words I love you’. Then off to ‘Deep in the heart of Texas’.

Jim played a special tune to his wife, Barbara, which left us all smiling – ‘Am I wasting my time over you?’It was obvious he wasn’t, they are such a devoted couple.Jim stopped for a moment to tell us that in his opinion the best accordion music was written in the 40’sand 50’s, the modern music not lending itself to the accordion.A tune from Lionel Bart’s ‘Oliver’ came next then ‘Try a little tenderness’, which in today’s world we couldall do with.

Elvis followed with ‘Are you lonesome tonight?’ Then ‘Sing, sing a song’ (which we had been doing thisafternoon). Then two more Elvis songs which we remembered swooning to, ‘Wooden Heart’ and ‘Love metender’.

Jim rounded off a wonderful afternoon with ‘We’ll meet again’ made so famous by Vera Lynn, the Forcessweetheart.

Ruth thanked Jim and Barbara for a super afternoon and members responded with applause and thanks.

We then had our tea, the Draw and sang our hymn before wishing each other a safe journey home.

Our next meeting will be our Summer Party, should be fun, hope to see you all there.-Ruth Earl

Next Meeting ~

Tuesday, 1st September 2015, at 2.00pm in St John’s Hall.

New members are always made very welcome.

THE SPARKES RETURN

Thomas Sparkes of South Brent married Sarah Rapson ofPlymstock in Holy Trinity Church, Southside Street, Plymouth,in 1897.

They lived in 3 Kelly Cottages, Turnchapel, and gave birth toten children.

They then moved next door into the Mansion House. Tom’swork was to drill the holes for blasting the rock from the localquarries and light the dynamite. (Sparkes – someone’s sense of humour!)

(Thomas & Sarah in old age)

Their fourth child, also called Thomas but known as Jack,emigrated to Canada choosing to make for British Columbia where he married. Their daughter Pamela andher daughter Zoe came to England to stay with Trish and Suzie, grandchildren of another sister, Wyn(Land), who lived on the hill in St John’s Road. Both Tom and Sarah died at her home and are buried in StJohn’s churchyard as are several of their children.

On their visit a day was spent touring Turnchapelfollowed by a visit to the old school, now the churchhall. Over a meal with Mary Skilton (Madeline Sparkes’daughter-in-law) photos and stories were exchangedand the family tree studied in depth.

Another branch of the family, Bronwyn (Bron), who isthe grandchild of the eldest child Georgina whoemigrated to Melbourne in 1929 and now lives in Perth,Australia, but is in regular contact with the family, so stories of the family’s past Trisha ScarlettMary Skilton Suzie Haymanwere filled in.

Zoe Ludwig Pam Evans

An enjoyable day was spent reliving the Sparkes familyheritage.

DID YOU KNOW ?

Lammastide ~ Lammas or ‘Loaf-Mass’ (derived from the Anglo-Saxon (Hlafmaesse) is an English feast inorigin, held on 1 August as a thanksgiving for the first-fruits of the wheat harvest. Traditionally, a newly bakedloaf from the wheat harvest was presented before God within the mass of that day.

While the ceremony ceased at the Reformation, reference to Lammas Day continued in the Prayer Bookcalendar, and the practice has been revived in some places in more recent years. The tradition of givingthanks for the first-fruits need not be limited to 1 August, and churches are at liberty to decide when to holdsuch a celebration. The Lammas loaf should ideally be baked by members of the congregation, using localproduce wherever possible. Other small loaves or buns in the tradition of ‘blessed bread’ may be distributedto the congregation. Part of the Lammas loaf may be used as the eucharist bread on this occasion. Twopatterns of readings are suggested, the first concerning the offering of the first-fruits and the secondconcerning the bread of life.

Common Worship Times and Seasons.

Harvest Thanksgiving ~ Harvest Thanksgiving is a more modern addition to the church calendar. Its originsare usually traced to the adaptation in 1843 of Lammas Day by the Revd R.S. Hawker, a Parish priest in

Cornwall. He chose the first Sunday in October as a Christian response to coincide with the traditional butlargely secular ‘harvest home’ celebration, but there is some evidence to suggest that a thanksgiving for theharvest was already a relatively widespread practice. An annual church celebration of the harvest certainlyestablished itself rapidly with great popularity and was first recognised officially in the Church of England in1862. Since then, many local traditions for the celebration have developed and many liturgical resources areavailable.

-submitted by Graham Lea

PLYM VALLEY HERITAGE

At the next meeting on Thursday, 17th September 2015, 7.30pm in St John’s Hall, our President, RobinBlythe-Lord will be giving a talk entitled ‘Plymouth Photographers’. This will be followed by the AGM.

The talk is open to visitors with an entrance fee of £3.00, however only members can attend the AGM.

An appeal is also made for members to consider coming on to the Committee. This meets once a month forapproximately 2 hours. Anyone interested please contact Gill Whillock on Tel: 491039.

-Gill WhillockDEAR GOD . . .

Dear God – so far today I’ve done okay.I haven’t gossiped or lost my temper.

I haven’t been grumpy, nasty or selfish.But in a few minutes I’m going to get out of bed,

And that’s when I’m going to need all the help I can get! (submitted

by Sylvia Tall)

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

I got up early one morning and rushed right into the day;I had so much to accomplish that I didn’t have time to pray.

Problems just tumbled around me, and heavier came each task,“Why doesn’t God help me?” I wondered. He answered, “You didn’t ask.”

I wanted to see joy and beauty but the day toiled on grey and bleak.I wondered why God didn’t show me. He said, “But you didn’t seek.”I tried to come into God’s presence; I used all my keys at the lock.

God gently and lovingly chided; “My child, you didn’t knock”.I woke up early this morning, and paused before entering the day.

I had so much to accomplish that I had to take time to pray!

Anon.

(submitted by Tony Banbury)

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Smiling is infectious; you catch it like the flu,When someone smiled at me today, I started smiling too.

I passed around the corner and someone saw my grinWhen he smiled I realized I’d passed it on to him.

I thought about that smile then I realized its worth,A single smile, just like mine, could travel round the earth.

So if you feel a smile begin, don’t leave it undetectedLet’s start an epidemic quick, and get the world infected!

Keep the smile going by passing it on.Everyone needs a smile!!

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

CHILDREN’S PAGE

Happy New Year! This month a new school year begins. September gives you a fresh start probably in a new class with some different classmates. There will certainly be new things for you to learn about the world you are part of and there will be new skills for you to practise.Perhaps this year you will be able to master those spellings or sums you found difficult last year. Those reading skills you worked at will now let you enjoy reading stories, poems or reading for information. Maybe this year you are looking forward to setting up science experiments or being able to sing, dance, or take part in discussions. Maybe you are looking forward to using your imagination in art, story writing or making great movements in gym.I expect by now you are able to understand how it feels to be a new member in school or in the class. Do youfind that you want to befriend and help new children settle in and find their way around the school? This is a drawing of a very interesting man who was born in China 2,566 years ago. His father died when he

was 3 years old and his mother was left with little money. K’ung Fu-tzu was a clumsy child with staring eyes and large teeth. Some of the local children called him names or laughed at him. K’ung Fu-tzu was a kind, gentle child and soon found out that shouting back at them only made things worse. He was more interested in learning new skills and finding out about the world. He couldn’t wait to go to school but his mother couldn’t afford to pay the school fees. So K’ung Fu-tzu decided to find things out for himself. He looked at things very carefully. Have you carefully looked into a flower? He asked the

adults he met lots of questions and he would listen carefully and think about their answers. If he found something difficult to do he would practise and practise until he could do it. Do you do that? K’ung learnt lots of interesting things and grew up to be a very clever man and teacher. People all over the world call him by the Latin form of his name Confucius. Here are some of the things Confucius said:-Use your eyes and you will see many wonderful things.Use your ears to listen and learn. Always show a friendly smile. That tells other people you are kind.Always remember to be well mannered and polite.Always speak the truth and play fair with others.Do not do anything to other people that you would not like done to you.Do you think those words are wise words?Have you tried smiling when meeting someone new?In the Bible one of the laws Jesus tells us to follow is to love your neighbour as yourself. Do you think Confucius would have agreed with that thought?

Enjoy LEARNING new things!

SAVE OUR SPIRES!

A ‘Save our Spires’ appeal has been launched by the National Churches Trust to highlight the plightof crumbling church spires around the UK.

The current ‘Heritage at Risk Register’ shows that 40 listed parish churches require urgent repairwork to their spires. Damage ranges from stone decay and deterioration, to rusting to iron crampsused in Victorian spires.

Over the last three years, the National Churches Trust has helped fund repairs costing over£370,000. Now it hopes to raise at least a further £250,000 to help more parish church spires.

Details at: https://vimeo.com/nationalchurchestrust/sos

DRITHELM - Vision of the after-life

Drithelm is the saint for you if you have ever wondered what lies beyond death, or have had a near-death experience. He was married and living in Cunningham (now Ayrshire, then Northumbria) inthe 7th century when he fell ill and apparently died. When he revived a few hours later he causedpanic among the mourners, and was himself deeply shaken by the whole experience.

Drithelm went to pray in the village church until daylight and during those long hours reviewed thepriorities of his life in the light of what he had seen while ‘dead’. A celestial guide had shown himsouls in hell, in purgatory, in paradise and heaven... suddenly the reality of God and of coming

judgment and of what Christ had done in redeeming mankind became real to him, and his life onearth could never be the same again.

Next day he divided his wealth into three: giving one third to his wife, one third to his sons, and theremainder to the poor. He became a monk and went to live at Melrose, where he spent his time inprayer and contemplation of Jesus.

Drithelm’s Vision of the after-life is remarkable in that it was the first example of this kind ofliterature from England. It was SO early: seventh century Anglo-Saxon England! Drithelm haseven been seen as a remote precursor of Dante.

On a lighter note, Drithelm can also be a saint for you if you didn’t get abroad this summer, butventured to swim instead off one of our beaches: he used to stand in the cold waters of the Tweedfor hours, reciting Psalms.

-from September issue of Parish Pump

A THOUGHT FOR THE MONTH

Spread a little kindness, plan a little plot,

Make a bit of sunshine in some gloomy spot.

That’s the way to cheer up folk who’re feeling sad,

Odd that it will also make your own heart glad!

CREATION FEST

Creation Fest is a free, non-denominational Christian festival. It is held annually. This year it took place nearWadebridge, between 1st and 7th August. A great deal was available, for all ages, including a Kid’s HolidayClub, venues for bible teaching, seminars and concerts. There was also a specific venue for teenageactivities.

We were present for 24 hours and were amazed at everyone's enthusiasm.

One of the highlights was a bible study of Philippians chapter 4, ‘Celebrate God every day’ was the theme asthe passage told us to iron out differences and make up - God doesn’t want his children bearing grudges!Central to this study was the command, “not to worry”! Instead, pray as ‘It’s wonderful what happens whenChrist removes worry at the centre of your life.’

The second highlight was a talk about the Ascension. Sarah Yardley, a Californian currently based inPortreath, told us how she grew up in a God fearing family and learnt a great deal of bible teaching.However, it was only later that she came to know the value of it in her own life. She gave us the message ofthe Ascension. That the benefits of the power of Christ are available to us throughout our lives. Christ is withus to enable us to discover the truth and power of the hope of the Gospels. Her talk was exceptional.

Creation Fest is near enough that we could organise a day visit next year. It would be the equivalent of aspiritual swim in the sea – hard to start, great when you get going and afterwards a marvellous sense ofbeing both invigorated and at peace.

-submitted by Bob Davidson

PLYMSTOCK GARDENING SOCIETY

On Monday, September 28th, 7.30pm, our talk is:-‘Saltram through the Seasons’ by Martin Stott, Gardener at Saltram.

We meet at Plymstock United Church Hall. Non-members welcome ~ £1. Contact number 01752 407578. -Margaret Lowles, Vice Chair

HOOE & TURNCHAPEL LADIES GROUPWe meet at the Hooe & Turnchapel Community Centre on the 1st and 3rd Tuesday of each month at 8.00pm.ALL ladies welcome.Our programme for SEPTEMBER is:-

SEPTEMBER 1st SUMMER BREAK

SEPTEMBER 15th WELCOME & GAMES EVENING

For further information please contact: -Diane McCarthy (Sec) Tel: 311931

ST LUKE’S HOSPICE – The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service, 2015

CONGRATULATIONS – Volunteers who give thousands of hours service each year to St Luke’s, Plymouth,have been honoured with the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service, the highest award a voluntary group canreceive in the UK.

Volunteers have always been at the very heart of St Luke’s since the Hospice opened in 1982, willing to giveof their time to give invaluable support to others facing a terminal illness.

St Luke’s currently has 1,194 volunteers assisting in a variety of roles, from helping to provide care forpatients and their families to generating the £4 million that is required each year to keep the hospiceoperational. A total of 997 volunteers work across the 35 charity shops in Devon and Cornwall alone.

The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service was created in 2002 to celebrate the Queen’s Golden Jubilee andwinners are announced each year on 2nd June – the anniversary of the Queen’s Coronation.

The award was presented to St Luke’s on 30th July by the Lord Lieutenant of Devon, Mr David Fursdon.

Future Fundraising Event:-

Sept 19th ‘Puttin’ on the Glitz’ a Charity ball with a difference on the Hoe in the unique graduationmarquees kindly donated by Plymouth University. You will be transported back in time to the roaring twenties glitz and glamour, with performances fromPlymouth Gilbert & Sullivan Opera Co, DJ, casino tables whilst enjoying a delicious 3 course meal.(Contact: www.stlukes-hospice.org.uk Tel: 492626.

OUT & ABOUT

Sept 5th Plymstock Community Festival, Downham Park, Plymstock.

Rockfish Blue Mile for participants to swim and paddle from the Mayflower Steps to promote protection for the blue environment.

Sept 19th Plymstock Broadway Monthly Food and Craft Market

Sept 26th Plymouth Clarion Choir

Sept 26/27th Plymouth Seafood Festival 2015. Barbican & Sutton Harbour________________________

Music at St Andrew’s ~ 1.10pm FREE admission, lunches available (Tel: 661414)Sept 2nd David Stevens on Organ

Sept 9th Music for Brass

Sept 16th Richard Line on Organ

INTERESTED IN ART? Some dates for your Diary:-

THE QUAYSIDE ARTISTS

Invite you to their

ART EXHIBITIONat the

PLYMSTOCK LIBRARY

THURSDAY/FRIDAY 22nd & 23rd OCTOBER 9am – 6pm SATURDAY 24th OCTOBER 9am – 4pm

Admission Free

ART WORK FOR SALE OR JUST COME AND BROWSE~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

If you are interested in joining our Club to improve your art skills, please contact us:

Shirley Hole ~ 01752 291143Eunice Jackson ~ 01752 401564

THE SOUTH HAMS ARTS FORUMInvites you to visit 52 of the most inspiring Studios, Workshops,

Galleries and Exhibition halls In the South Hams.

The Arts Trail 2015 runs from 17th to 25th October.

The South Hams Arts Forum (SHAF) is an active association of artists and craftspeople from across theregion. Membership is so diverse, some create in purpose built studios while others produce their work at thekitchen table. This year the Art Trail features 52 venues across the South Hams.

Those close to home:-

Plymstock 143, Wembury Road, PL90DF Open10am-5pm

(closed Sun 18th & Sun 25th Oct)

Wembury Channel View, Cliff Road, PL90HW Open 10am-4pm

(closed Wed 21st Oct)

Sea Call, Cliff Road, PL90HW Open 11am-4.30pm

Heybrook Bay (2 artists in this venue)

Xanadu, West Hill, PL90BB Open 11am-4.30pm

(closed Mon 19th Oct)

For more information of the other works in South Hams see www.shaf.org.uk

‘LOVE YOUR PAST’

Plymouth Zoo was opened in 1962 by the Chipperfield family. It closed just16 years later in 1978. Despite being short-lived, I'm sure that manyPlymothians and tourists alike enjoyed a happy visit to this attraction.

The Zoo was located in Central Park, towards Outland Road. It had asurprisingly exotic selection of animals for a small zoo. These included anelephant, zebras and tigers.

It seems as though the management prided themselves on providing abeautiful place to visit with landscaped gardens and extensive planting.

As an urban zoo Plymouth was able to serve as a quarantine centre foranimals which had been newly transported to the UK. This meant that manyother animals passed through Plymouth on their way to Safari parks andother Zoos across the country.

This colour guide book was collected by Hilary Cross during a summerholiday to Plymouth in August 1974. She had particular memories of seeing

the hippopotamus as it was probably the first time she had ever seen one. The family also attended a Summer Spectacular at the Hoe Theatre that same evening.

The guide book describes the zoo as having a 'friendly intimate atmosphere,appreciated by residents and visitors alike'. I do wonder what the reaction of the localPeverell residents actually was when the zoo first opened though!

Rachel Smith, Curator of Social History and World Cultures.

Augustus Jeremiah Honeybun was supposedly found under a gorse bush onDartmoor in 1961 by the founders of Westward Television and became the stationmascot for both Westward and TSW from 1961 to 1992. A puppet rabbit, and star of

Gus Honeybun's Magic Birthdays, he achieved a much respected longevity second only to Sooty!

Gus is now cared for by the SWFTA archive which was set up by television executives following the closureof the TSW studio in 1993. Gus sits happily alongside former colleagues and TV personnel who aresupporting the care and preservation of the growing tape and film resources held within the archive.

Stacey Dyer, Archive Director, South West Film and Television Archive (SWFTA).

WHAT’S ON DIARY ~ SEPTEMBER 2015

for Churches in the Parish of Plymstock and Hooe

Every ThursdayHooe’s Place Café 11.45am – 1.30pm

Tues Sept 1st ‘Young @ Heart’2.00pm

St John’s Hall

Sat Sept 5th Plymstock Community FestivalDownham Pk, Plymstock

11.00am – 4.30pm

Sat Sept 12th Table Top Sale 10.00am – 12 noonSt Mary’s Parish Hall

Sun Sept 13th Evensong4.00pm

St John’s Church_____________________________________________________

Hooe’s Place Community Café Thursdays

Open to allMorning Coffee 10.30-11.30am

Freshly cooked lunches 11.45am-1.30pm

St John’s Church, HooeOpen every Thursday10.00am - 2.00pm

Church open for prayer and/or viewing Entrance through St John’s Hall

Enquiries regarding Baptisms, Marriages at St Johns can be made between

10-11am in the church hall.

Local News

New Bus ServicesBus services currently operated by First Group in Plymouth and south Devon will be withdrawn on the 6 September. Services from this date will be provided by Stagecoach who will take over many but not all of the present bus routes operated by First Group. Services 3/3A, 6, 15, 76 and 81/81D are withdrawn and no longer run.New ServicesStagecoach Service 2/2A - Plymouth to Mount Batten will run every 10 minutes with earlier and later journeys over revised bus routes with alternative services running via Pomphlett Close and Dean Cross Road/Pomphlett Road. On 20 September the service will be extended to Saltash (St Stephens Road) via Plymouth railway station and Milehouse. Stagecoach Service 48 to Wembury will run as at presnt.Stagecoach will continue to offer a very similar range of tickets and passes with no change to prices, and willbe accepting all existing tickets and passes issued by First until their expiry.All Stagecoach service enquires should be made to the Exeter Travel Shop on 01392 427711 before the 6 September as no information centre is available in Plymouth at preent.Timetables are available on the Stagecoach website.Plymouth City BusNumerous changes will be made to city bus routes on the 30 August. Details can be found on Plymouth CityBus website.Further changes will come into effect on the 20 September.

Services No. 4/4A. Plymouth–Mount Batten, No. 45 to Ivybridge, No. 49 to Heybrook Bay and No. 75B to Wadebridge will all be withdrawn.Service 5/5A - Daytime journeys are retimed to depart Royal Parade at 00 and 30 past the hour on service 5 and 15 and 45 past the hour on 5A. Service 5 operating in both directions via Billacombe Rd, Stentaway Dr and Church Rd. Service 5A operating in both directions via Oreston Rd and Plymstock Rd.Service 21/21A. Frequency of services increased to run every 15 minutes to City Centre from Barne Barton and every 7/8 from Royal Parade to Plympton.21/21A.Service 42/42A/42/B/42CBuses will run every 10 minutes from Royal Parade to Derriford Hospital. The service to Tavistock is withdrawn.

Thrive Plymouth ReportLife expectancy for people living in Plymouth varied considerably in 2011/2013. In wards just a few miles apart life expectancy values varied by years. In the seven miles south from the Southwayward or west from the Plympton Chaddlewood ward or the Plymstock Dunstone ward every mile closer to the Devonport ward almost one year of life expectancy was lost.Average life expectancy in Plymouth is lower than the England average for men (78.0 years compared to 78.9 years) and for women (82.0 years compared to 82.8 years); in Plymstock Dunstone it is 83.1 years and Plymstock Radford 81.4 yearsPlymstock LibraryThe film, The Imitation Game, will be shown on Monday 21 August at 2.00pm. It is a Certificate 12 film and runs for 114 minutes.

Classic Films showing this month:War Horse - Tuesday 8 September at 2.00pm. A Certificate 12 film running for 146 minutes.Jane Ryre - Tuesday 22 September at 2.00pm. A Certificate 12 film runs for 115 minutes.

Plymstock Broadway MarketThe monthly Food and Crafts Market in Plymstock Broadway will be take place on Saturday 19 September.Stalls selling free range chicken and duck eggs, to gluten free savouries, specialist dog treats honey and other foods, Hungarian langosh, various beautiful crafts, accessories and jewellery and face painting and inflatable activities for children are available.

Fenced Off!The Trustees of Plymstock Community Centre have submitted a planning application (15/01257/FUL) to cover over the existing paved area at the rear of the centre and erection of a 2.4m security fence.The fenced area will extend around the Community Centrel and the William Venton Day Centre from the demolished Downham School site to the Broadway Car Park. Fencing off of the footpath will make it less convenient for pedestrians using the short cut between Horn Lane and the Broadway Car Park.

Heritage Open DaysSt Mary and All Saints ChurchOn Saturday 12 September Graham Naylor will lead 1 hour tours around the church building and highlight historic aspects of the interior of the church. Including a detailed look at the medieval rood screen as well as other church furniture and architectural features. We also highlight some of the prominent memorials and thestories of the people to whom they commemorate.On Sunday 13 September Graham Naylor, will be giving his highly informative and enlightening talk about the many stained glass windows inside the church. Graham's talk unravels the stories contained within each window and gives biographical information behind the donors of the windows and the people to whom they commemorate.Times Saturday 12 September: Tour 1000, 1100 & 1200 Sunday 13 September: 1200-1600, Talk 1400

Councillor Advice SurgeriesIn a response to last month’s Local News article, Ian Boyer, Conservative Councillors Group Leader on behalf of Plymstock Ward Councillors has said ‘that (HYS) meetings held previously at Plymstock Library, Goosewell, and Staddiscombe have been discontinued due to lack of support from local residents and the meetings at Staddiscombe have actually ceased at the residents' request. All Councillors are prepared to resume such meetings should sufficient demand be made bylocal residents.Conservative Councillors throughout the City are dismayed over the inconsistent approach being taken and particularly the lack of Officer support given. We all acknowledge that this lack of support from the current Council is proving to be difficult.’

Note: The deadline date for items for October 2015 Magazine is Sept 15 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.