FROM READER JEAN MEDWAY

Dear Friends,

Well here we are in May. I always think it is one of the loveliest of months, the blossom appearing on the trees and gardens beginning to burst into colour where before there was only bare ground ~ new growth, new life, new beginnings.

Here in the Parish of Plymstock & Hooe there will also be new beginnings. In May, we welcome our new Ministers, the Revd David Appleby and his wife, the Revd Jennie Appleby. We remember them both in our prayers as they prepare to join the Parish family, may they find warmth, friendship and support in our welcome.

The month of May also brings Christian Aid Week, this year on 11th – 17th May. This year’s theme is Peace and Reconciliation and focuses on the human cost of conflict. Christian Aid is helping the people who suffer in this way to get the basics, food, water, medical care and shelter and helps people to rebuild their lives in the aftermath of conflict. Throughout the Parish the familiar Red Envelopes will appear for donations and various activities will take place to raise funds. Conflict destroys lives, by coming together we can be instruments of God’s peace and enable those who work on the front line to achieve what is needed. Let us be as generous as we can for by acting together we can make a huge difference to those people whose lives have been affected by conflict.

God Bless.

Jean Medway

To all members of the 8am Eucharist congregations

at St Mary’s & St John’s

8am Services for May 2014

Sun 4th May Service at St Mary’s NO Service at St John’s

Sun 11th May NO Service at St Mary’s Service at St John’s

Sun 18th May Service at St Mary’s NO Service at St John’s

Sun 25th May NO Service at St Mary’s Service at St John’s

Confirmation

Confirmation marks the point in the Christian journey at which you affirm for yourself the faith into which you have been baptized

and your intention to live a life of committed discipleship. This affirmation is confirmed through prayer and the laying on of hands by the confirming bishop. The Church also

asks God to give you power through the Holy Spirit to enable you to live in the way of Jesus.Confirmation gives the opportunity to explore the Christian faith.

If you would like to discuss the possibility of being confirmed at a Service later this year, or find out more about the faith, please

contact Steve. A meeting will be held in June for those interested. Confirmation is open to all those over 12 years.

Rev’d. Steve Payne – Tel: 213358

Plymstock & Hooe Mission Community

The Team Rector and Churchwardens invite you all

to a celebration of the Eucharist on the licensing

by the Bishop of Crediton, the Rt Revd Nick McKinnel,

of the

Rev’d Dave and Rev’d Jennie Appleby as Team Vicars

on Thursday, 15th May, 2014, at 7.30pm

at St Mary & All Saints, Plymstock.

Followed by light refreshments in the Parish Hall.

BLESSING OF CORNISH GIG RACER

In April Steve was asked to bless a new Gig racer ‘Catalina’ acquired by the local club who are based at the Mountbatten Water Centre.

As part of the Service a seafaring version of Psalm 23 was read:

The Lord is my Pilot, I shall not drift,God lights my way across safe waters,God steers me in the deep channels,

God charts my course and keeps my log.

God guides me beneath the stars of holiness,Yes though I sail amid thunder and stormI shall not be afraid, for God is with me.

God’s love and care shelter me,God has made a harbour for me,

God anoints my voyage with peace,My boat rides calmly on the waters.

God gives sunlight and starlight all the days of my life,And in time, I will rest in the port of God forever.

Steve led the short Service from the boat and enjoyed his brief sojourn on the ocean wave!

HOOE SCHOOL PUPILS CELEBRATE EASTER

Junior pupils from Hooe School held their Easter Service on Wednesday 2nd April, the event was very well supported with the church filled with parents and friends.

The previous day at the rehearsal the Infant children attended and thoroughly enjoyed taking part.

CHRISTIAN AID WEEK

There will be a ~

BRING & BUY SALE

SATURDAY, 17th MAY 2014

10.30am to 12 noon

ST JOHN’S CHURCH HALL

There will be Refreshments, Snacks, Cakes and a Raffle.Items for sale will be gratefully received

If you can help in any way I would like to hear from you.All monies to be given to Christian Aid funds.

-Jean Medway, Tel: 401986

EVENSONG will commence again at St John’s Church for the Summer months, on the last Sunday of the month, conducted by Reader Graham Dee.

E V E N S O N G

SUNDAY, 25TH MAY 2014

at 4.30pm

At St John’s Church

FROM ST JOHN’S PARISH REGISTERS

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

JACK HENRY ORCHARD, baptized Sunday 20th April, 2014, the son of James & Sharon Orchard.

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

PEGGY ELSIE GRACE FOSTER (nee Charlick) late of Belle Vue Road, Hooe, who died 7th March 2014, the day before her 83rd birthday. The wife of Bob (dec’d) and mother to Gillian, Chris (dec’d) and Andrew, sister to Len Skilton of Church View Garage.the

Peggy lived in Hooe all her life being born in Hexton Hill Road. She was a very social person and regularly attended Dean Cross and Hooe & Turnchapel Community Association Bingo Sessions. She was also a Treasurer to H & T Association Over 60’s Club.

The Service took place at St John’s Church on 26th March, 2014. Donations were for The Cats Protection League.

___________________________________

WILLIAM TATE - THE RAILWAY MAN OF CENTRAL PARK

William Tate, known as Jock or Bill, died in February aged 88 years. A very private man who originated in Scotland, he came to live in Hooe in early 1962 when he built his own bungalow in St John’s Drive.

He was a carpenter and joiner by trade but his great love was engineering and in particular steam trains. In the workshop under his bungalow he built his trains.  First he built a wide gauge engine along with tender, tools and other equipment. It ran on the 90 foot long track to the station at the end of his back garden. It was in the livery of the Southern Railway with the nameplate of Clann Chattan.

He then moved into Central Park in the 1970’s where he built a circular track with a steam train in the Great Western livery.  For many years he provided the children immense pleasure as they rode around the track to the smell and sound of a miniature engine.

The Southern railway train and all its equipment was sold at Plymouth Auction House on 2nd April. No doubt it has been purchased by another enthusiast collector.

‘YOUNG @ HEART’

We had a very happy time at our meeting in April, on a nice sunny afternoon.

First, Martin Newman of the Highbury Trust Charity gave a talk about the work they do for people with special needs. Our local Charity Shop is at Radford Park Road in Plymstock and has been very successful, the Manageress being Jackie from Hooe Vicarage. Others take turns in doing voluntary work there.

It is funded by Plymouth City Council and extra money is very much needed. A large building in Milehouse provides services for 500 people from 9am to 3pm daily, where various crafts, including cooking, take place. Others attend in the evening for recreation, including a weekly Disco. Some are involved in Drama Groups at the Theatre Royal.

There are two Homes with supported tenancies. One Service looks after people’s money and benefits for them. Teenagers tend to ‘blow away’ their money and need to be taught how to manage things better.

Some parents need help when caring for their children and support is given to them, often for a long period of time.

Social Clubs are run on Tuesdays and Thursdays and include music – Karaoke style, Bingo sessions and Discos in the evenings when 100 to 120 people arrive,

Martin has helped there for 17 years and has always enjoyed the work.

The second part of the afternoon involved Jackie and Theresa who performed a ‘make-over’, the volunteer being Ruth Earl who had a facial – ‘cleanse, massage and make-up’, then finally a hair-do with tongs. Margaret Mitchell and Eileen Cole also had their hair done.

Sybil Symons modelled a lovely gold lame dress, with a ‘fascinator’ in her hair and Pauline Breeze wore a flamboyant black creation on her head.

Our Vicar, Steve Payne, arrived just in time to judge a competition for a home-made Easter card, the winner was Shirley Foster.

Ruth thanked all who had taken part and we all enjoyed a welcome cup of tea and some goodies before leaving for home.

-Sylvia Cooke

Next Meeting ~

Tuesday, 6th May 2014 at 2.00pm in St John’s Hall.New members are always welcome.

Open to all.

HOOE & TURNCHAPEL COMMUNITY CENTRE

Annual General Meeting – Tuesday 13th May at 7.15pm.

SUMMER FAYRE

SATURDAY, 31st MAY at 2.00pm

Stalls still available – from £5 each.

To book contact Tel: 406824.

FROM THE REVD STU CLARKE"June and I arrived in Hooe in August 1999 after many months of prayerful negotiations with Hooe Baptist Church and several visits to preach and meet the members. My role was to be a Community Pastor - becoming involved with local schools, Social Services, Ward Councillors, childrens groups, community planning events, etc, etc. This would take about 85% of my working week, with the remaining time spent preaching and teaching and helping to build up the church. By the grace of God I can look back after almost 15 years and give Him the praise for all manner of God-appointments and encouragements throughout this time.

We have been able to construct and fully pay for a new Church building, seen a number of people become Christian believers and demonstrate their faith in believers' baptism. We have initiated four or five community missions on Hooe Green. We have been running a very successful Messy Church. We have employed a number of trainee youth workers, and then employed two Youth & Community workers. I have had the privilege of being a Governor at Hooe Primary Academy for almost 14 years, and June was a Governor at Plymstock School for 10 years. And we were able to be involved in the founding of both Plymouth Street Pastors and Plymouth School Pastors - both of which have brought us immense joy.

Throughout our time in Hooe, we have sought every day to live out our faith in Christ Jesus in whatever ways we can, trying to express through our marriage and our ministries the love of Christ to all. We will leave some time in early June, but take with us many special memories. I am retiring after 37 years in Baptist ministry and we expect to be relocating to Swindon, Wiltshire.

If you would like to attend our Farewell Service, it is taking place on Saturday 17th May at 4pm at Plymstock School. (Please let our Church Secretary: David Crawford know if you are planning to attend. His phone number is 01752 407047; email: daveac1947@hotmail.co.uk) God bless you richly and encourage you greatly."

Lots of love and peace, 

STU

The TABLE TOP SALE on Saturday, 5th April raised £310.00 for the Church Roof Fund.At the back of St Mary & All Saints church we have a large jar for your loose change, in aid of the Church Roof Fund.

JUMBLE SALE

SATURDAY, 7th JUNE, 2014

10am to 12 noon

St Mary & All Saints Parish Hall, Church Road.

CHRISTIAN AID WEEK

ST MARY’S & HOLY FAMILY

We need people to collect We need people to pray We need people to count We need people to give We need people to organise other events

If you can help in any way contact:

JILL DOWNER, VANESSA THORNTON,BRIAN HANCOCK

Let us go into Christian Aid Week with Jesus beside us

and the Holy Spirit before us in the knowledge that the money raised will be spent wisely and lift our neighbour out of poverty.

‘One more step along the road we go.’

Lifts to St Mary’s 10.45am Sunday Eucharist

If you would like a lift to church please ring Jean Hulatt, Tel: 310780.

PARISH REGISTERS

We welcomed into God’s family through baptism at St. Mary’s during March:

8th March EVA MONIQUE VAN DER MERWA, the daughter of Allen and Stephanie Van der Merwa.

9th March GRACIE ANNE MARTIN, the daughter of Matthew and Carly Martin.

23rd March EDEN ROSE SAUNDRY, the daughter of Ben Saundry and Gemma Baker.

PLYMSTOCK & DISTRICT

The University of the Third Age is open to all older people in their retirement though there is no lower age limit. It provides a range of activities for men and women at minimal cost and it draws on the knowledge, experience and skills of its members to organise interest groups to suit everyone. Currently, there are 22 groups available, including Bridge, Canasta, Mah Jong, Walking, Languages, Photography, Local History, Mathematics, Singing, Natural History and various types of creative Art are also included. Once a month, all the groups meet together at The Staddy for coffee, news and notices, after which we settle down to listen to a Speaker. The next General Meeting is on FRIDAY 16th MAY 2014 at 10.30am at The Staddy Club, Staddiscombe. David Snelling will give an account titled “OPERATION HENRY” – the story of his 2000km trek across The Pyrenees accompanied by Henry the Hinny.For more information and news – www.u3aplymstock.org.uk

DIRECTORYBell ringers Paul Treeby 319009Bereavement Support Consult Rector 213358Lifts to Church Jean Hulatt 310780Parents & Toddlers Jennifer Daniels 406271Karen Marlton 294037Parish Hall CateringMaureen Anning 493287Stewardship Rec’Derek Organ 401694Brownies (Mon)Di Gavin 298766Cubs (Tues)Pauline Woodward 402197Cubs (Fri)Wayne Gould 319232Guides (Mon)Linda Jacobs 491970Scouts (wed)Wayne Gould 319232

Or ring Mary Hough 01752 863372.

NEWS FROM MBARARA, UGANDA ~ KING OF KINGS MINISTRIES

Dear Friends,

This is our first Newsletter of 2014 and already we have seen many miracles before our eyes.

Ministry. We ushered in the New Year by partnering with a local Christian radio station and organising an overnight of Prayer and Praise in the local stadium. We wanted to dedicate 2014 to the Lord and to pray to see God’s Kingdom come. It was a wonderful night, several hundred turned out to sing, dance and pray in the New Year.

For some time Silas had felt the need to make a prophetic declaration over our town of Mbarara. It has long been said that the town is soon to be made into a city and as the Body of Christ we wanted to declare it to be ‘a City of the Gospel’ both to the heavenly realm and to the population at large. We had four large signs made to this effect and during the night we invited our local MP and all the pastors present to the platform and to pray for Mbarara and for the signs.

After the night of prayer these signs were erected on the four major roads leading into the city. Now everyone entering the city truly knows that Mbarara belongs to Jesus!

During Christmas and New Year we were honoured to host some very good friends of ours from the UK, Pastors Brian and Vanessa Richardson and their beautiful daughter Anna. Apart from preaching at numerous Services and taking part in the New Year Night of Prayer they also were the keynote speakers at a conference for all King of Kings Branch Church Pastors.

Brian, a spiritual father of fathers encouraged and strengthened the pastors to ‘Go for More’ in 2014 and pursue the things of God with all their hearts. Vanessa flowed in her ministry as a prophetic praise and worship leader spending time with our choir exploring and entering into new levels of intimacy in worship.

What a blessing it is to know such a wonderful family. We shared precious time together.Miracle. Our miracle Monday Service has continued. We have seen God healing many. This man came to church on crutches he had been using of 14 years after suffering from a debilitating sickness. After prayer his legs were completely healed and he was able to run up and down the church waving his crutches in the air. Glory be to God!Branch Churches. With 120 branch churches we try to send out members of our Mbarara pastoral team to visit them as much as possible. It is incredibly humbling to see the dedication of our village pastors who minister in very challenging and difficult situations – absolute poverty, withcraft, high levels of unemployment and illiteracy to name a few.I was delighted to visit one of our branch churches that had gone through many struggles but with prayer and determination have seen God break through. After preaching 35 children were brought for dedication and after the Service the whole church walked about a mile to the nearest water source where we baptized 19 newly converted adults. It was such a glorious day. People from all around gathered to see what the celebration was all about.Leadership Training. Silas and I realised that to fulfil the vision of seeing God’s glory spread across Western Uganda by giving churches in every community it would be essential to begin a Leadership Training School. Thanks to the commitment of Gavin and Glenda Williams and their supporters we currently have three groups of students. The first group of 32 is just over half way through the two year training programme. It is so good to see men and women with a hunger to learn about the Kingdom and to serve God in this generation.Family News. We are also really grateful for your prayers for Mercy and Joan during their ‘O’ Levels. I am pleased to announce that they both did well enough to be admitted for ‘A’ Level studies at their respective schools. Please continue to pray as both of them have hit the pressures of teenage living… Amanya has also begun a new school year, she is now in Primary 3 and has just been elected head girl. We are yet to hear what her responsibilities will be…

Thank you once again for all your love, financial support and prayers without which we wouldn’t be able to do all this.

Silas, Nicola and the Girls

AS IT WAS . . .THE TORPOINT FERRY

Torpoint Ferry 1894

Torpoint Ferry 2014

THE TORPOINT FERRY is a car and pedestrian chain ferry which crosses the Hamoaze, which is the name of the lower reaches of the River Tamar, from Devonport to Torpoint in Cornwall. It is the largest chain ferry in the world and operates on 6 chains stretching from one side of the river to the other. Each chain consists of over 4000 links and as each chain wears at the rate of 1 millimetre per month, the chains have to be shortened by approximately one meter per month.At present there are three ferries, each of which carries up to 73 cars, and when all three ferries are in operation at peak periods, which differ for weekdays, weekends and during the summer, we have a ten minute service.The current ferries were built in 2005 and each one in turn goes to Falmouth every three years for a major overhaul. They are named Plym II, Tamar II and Lyhner ll after three of Plymouth's rivers.A ferry route between Torpoint and Devonport, then called Plymouth Dock, was first started in 1791. In 1826 the ferry

operations were taken over by the Torpoint Steamboat Company, which built landing piers on each side of the river. The company also built the steam ferry Jemima which entered service in 1831. The steamboat company approached a gentleman called James Meadows Rendel in 1832 to design a steam powered floating bridge and two steam ferries entered service in 1834 and 1835. New ferries were introduced in 1871 and 1878. Due to ever increasing traffic a two ferry service was introduced in 1905.Cornwall County Council bought the ferry operation in 1922 for £22,000 and two new ferries were ordered which entered service in 1925 and 1926. The operation was expanded in1932 to allow two ferries to operate at the same time.Traffic expanded rapidly after World War II and two new ferries were introduced in 1961. A third ferry entered service 1966 and a marshalling area was built on the Torpoint side to relieve congestion through the centre of the town. The landing areas were further extended in 1972 to allow all three ferries to operate at the same time.Chain ferries operate by hauling themselves along chains which lay on the bottom on the river. When no ferry is crossing shipping can pass freely along the river. The Royal Navy, in the person of the Queen's Harbourmaster, control the surface of the water and the ferries must give way when any naval vessel is passing. The bed of the River Tamar, known as the fundus, is owned by the Duchy of Cornwall and so the Ferry Company pays the Duchy for the right to have the chains in place on the river bed.The ferry is owned and operated by the Tamar Bridge and Torpoint Ferry Committee and is controlled jointly and equally by Cornwall Council and Plymouth City Council. 84% of the running costs of the two enterprises are due to the operation of the ferries. Tolls are payable for vehicles and motorcycles but pedestrians travel free.David Parnwell, a resident of TorpointEmail: david.parnwell@gmail.com

THE GARDENER’S HYMN(a little reminder to all those gardeners . . !)

All things bright and beautiful, all creatures great and small,All things wise and wonderful, the Lord God made them all.

But what we never mention, though gardeners know it’s true,Is when He made the goodies, He made the baddies too.All things spray and swattable, disasters great and small,

All things paraquatable, the Lord God made them all.The greenfly on the roses, the maggots in the peas.Manure that fills our noses, He also gave us these.

The fungus on the goose-gogs, the club root on the greens,The slugs that eat the lettuce and chew the aubergines.

The drought that kills the fuchsias, the frost that nips the buds,The rain that drowns the seedlings, the blight that hits the spuds.

The midges and mosquitoes, the nettles and the weeds,The pigeons in the green stuff, the sparrows on the seeds.The fly that gets the carrots, the wasp that eats the plums,

How black the gardener’s outlook, though green may be his thumb.But still we gardeners labour, midst vegetables and flowers,

And pray what hits our neighbours, will somehow by-pass ours.All things bright and beautiful ……………………

‘EGGCITED ABOUT EASTER’

On Palm Sunday we held our ‘Eggcited about Easter’ event in the Church Hall. Over 30 people of all ages were kept very busy with all the wonderful activities. Children made Easter chicks & bunnies from fluffy pompoms and finger puppets

from cardboard which they coloured. They also decorated a basket for their Easter eggs. Adults made coasters from felt with a spring theme, rabbits, chickens or flowers. There were also some word search & other quiz sheets.

We all joined in a couple of songs & watched a film about the First Easter Morning. Steve also made a comparison to faces – happy, angry, sad & amazed. This must have been how everyone felt in Holy Week!!Then there was an Easter egg hunt in the Church where everyone looked for pictures of eggs which were then exchanged for chocolate eggs. Then it was back to the Hall for refreshments. Lots of fun was had by all.

Thank you to everyone for all their help and special thanks to Sue for finding all those wonderful crafts.Lin Miller

PULLING OUT ALL THE STOPS

Built in 1875 for a church in Norwich, and brought down to Plymouth in 1912, this instrument accompanied church Services at St Simon, Mount Gould, for 100 years. It’s future life now hangs in the balance as funds are being urgently sourced to move the organ to a new location.The organ has been awarded a Grade 2* historic organ certificate, meaning that it is an instrument with regional and historical importance; similar to that of a listed building. This is the second highest available to be awarded, and stands as a testament to the organ builders who built the organ back in 1875. The aim is to move the organ to St Gabriel, Peverell, where it will be placed at the west end of the church. It will then be able to be used for recitals, concerts, education and of course - the liturgical needs of the church. Interest in the project has come from a wide range of sources including the University, Plymouth College. Plymouth Music Accord, the City Council and of course the committee who are trying to save it.With organs like this, the cost of restoration could almost be unlimited, with £250,000 being easily eaten up for these highly complex instruments. However, we know that this will probably be unachievable, so £15,000 is being raised to move the instrument, with a further £50-100,000 required to put the organ back into a playable condition.(Article and Photo: David Stevens, St John’s Organist)

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.

Our programme for MAY 2014 is:-

MAY 6th BEETLE ~ BRING & BUY

MAY 20th THE BEES OF BRITAIN – Mr Payne

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

PLYMSTOCK GARDENING SOCIETY

The next meeting is on Monday, 12th May 2014, 7.30pm, at Plymstock United Reform Church Hall, Plymstock Road, Oreston, the topic will be:-

Plant Hunting in South Africa with Mr Mark Wash

(Annual Membership £4.50 ~ Senior Citizens £3.Non members welcome ~ £1 per meeting)

Enquiries: 01752 403652.

PLYM VALLEY HERITAGE

Next Meeting ~ Thursday 15th May 2014 at 7.30pm in St John’s Hall.

‘From Pomphlet & Radford to Mitchell Close’ with Neill Mitchell whose forebears were local landowners and farmers.

All Welcome. Non-members £3.00.

ST LUKE’S HOSPICE ~ Forthcoming Events:

St Luke’s Forget-me-not Appeal this year takes place on Sunday, 18th May 2014. (info@stlukes-hospice.org.uk : Tel: 492626.)

Open Gardens 2014 – This year 25 gardens are open to be visited with many new additions and a few old favourites:-

11th May Peter & Ann’s Garden, Sparkwell 12 – 5pm Admission £4.17th May Fardel Manor, Cornwood 2 – 5 pm

£518th May Thorn Cottage, Brentor 2 – 5pm

£425th May Calstock Village Walkabout 10am – 4pm

£531st May Alder, Lewdown

12 – 5pm £4

and many more ~ for full information visit:www.stlukes-hospice.org.uk/opengardens

H ooe’s Place Community Café Thursdays

Open to all Morning Coffee 10.30-11.30am Freshly cooked lunches 11.45am-1.30pm

Deadline date for the June magazine is May 15th

Local NewsElections 2014Nominations for election to Plymouth City Council were published on the 25 April and the statement of parties and individuals standing for election to the European Parliament on the 23 April 2014.Polling for both elections will be the 22 May 2014. A full list of the candidates standing for election can be found on Plymouth City Council website - www.plymouth.gov.uk

Glass RecyclingGlass bottles and jars can be put in the green bin for recycling from the 1st May.

The citywide doorstep glass recycling initiative is one of a number of changes on the horizon for the city’s waste and recycling collections. Later in the year there will be changes to rounds and collection days for some residents as part of a drive to make the service more efficient and to gear up for the start of the Energy from Waste operations.

Neighbourhood Meeting

The next Have Your Say meeting for Turnchapel, Hooe, Oreston and Mount Batten will be held in Hooe Baptist Church on Tuesday 27th May 2014 at 7.00pm.

This will be the last neighborhood meeting the Rev Stu Clarke will chair before he retires as Pastor of Hooe Baptist Church in June.

Neighbourhood meetings provide an opportunity for residents to discuss and influence what matters most in their area.

Highway Havens for BeesRoadside verges on Tavistock Road, Embankment Road, Weston Mill bypass and Billacombe Road will become havens for bees, butterflies and hoverflies this summer. Plymouth City Council and Buglife have sown low growing wildflower meadow plants such as red clover, birds-foot trefoil and knapweed on the verges to provide nectar and pollen for the bees and bugs.

Bees and other pollinating insects including butterflies, moths and hoverflies have experienced decline in recent decades, raising concerns about the potential effect on food supplies, gardens and the countryside. Factors including pesticides, loss of habitat and more intensive agriculture are thought to be to blame.

Plymouth in BloomPlymouth in Bloom competition encourages the local community to take pride in the city to make it more attractive with flowers and plants. This year Plymouth in Bloom will celebrate one hundred years since the Three Towns of Plymouth, Devonport and East Stonehouse merged to become the Borough of Plymouth. Gardens, container displays, businesses, schools, community groups and allotments can be entered into the competition.Entry forms can be downloaded from www.plymouth.gov.uk/bloom or telephone 01752 606034 or email streetsceneservices@plymouth.gov.ukThe closing date for entries is 4th July 2014Judging commences on 18th July 2014Junk MailCut the amount of junk mail you get by stopping unaddressed junk mail from being delivered. The Mailing Preference Service (MPS) is a free service which allows you to have your name and home address in the UK removed from or added to lists used by direct mail companies.They can be contacted at:

Mailing Preference ServiceFreepost 29LON 20771London W1 0ZTTelephone: 0845 7034599

Or visit the Mailing Preference Service website.You can also stop Royal Mail junk mail from being delivered by visiting the Royal Mail website or by writing to:

Freepost RRBT-ZBXB-TTTBRoyal mail door to door opt outsKingsmead HouseOxpens RoadOxford OX1 1RX

Manifesto PledgesThe Leader of Plymouth City Council recently stated 99 of the 100 manifesto pledges made two years ago had been signed off. Many of the commitments are open ended or

ongoing and some have been completed in part only. No details of how the pledges were completed are given in the Council’s press release. One commitment (No.47) to provide a cycle/footbridge between Oreston and Turnchapel is pie in the sky having been mooted in planning policies over the last two decades but it still remains an illusion!The full list of commitments can be seen at www.plymouth.gov.uk/pledgesdelivered.pdf

Nice and e-zine! Library card holders are now able to access up to 50 magazines on their computers, tablets or smart phones for free.The Council’s library service has signed up to Zinio – a digital magazine download service that is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, anywhere in the world.For more information about the range of titles on offer and how to get started visit the Zinio page on the council’s websiteIf you’re not already a library member, it’s free to join.

Sky Ride is BackThe streets of Plymouth will be closed to traffic on Sunday 25 May as thousands of people are expected to take to their bikes as Sky Ride Plymouth is back for its third year.Visit www.goskyride.com/plymouth for more information.

Police and Crime PlanPolice and Crime Commissioner Tony Hogg published a revised Police and Crime Plan on the 3rd April.

The plan priorities are: Cutting crime, keeping Devon and Cornwall safe; Reducing the harm caused by alcohol related crime; Efficiency and long-term financial security; An improved criminal justice system; High quality, accessible help for victims of crime; Greater public involvement in policing.

Visit the website www.devonand cornwall-pcc.gov.uk to read about the plan