Advent Beagle: news for Plymouth's waterside communities on Monday December 2

Mount Batten Centre, a new gym for The Barcode, Laira Bridge cycle track bridge reopens, and lashings of festive cheer. And no nasty pop-up adverts!

Batten Centre work

Work started today on improvements to the Mount Batten Centre. It’s part of a £4 million investment that will ensure the MBC and its surrounding area become an accessible gateway to Plymouth Sound National Marine Park. In addition to the new internal facilities, substantial improvements will be made externally to the areas surrounding the centre and its 17th Century artillery tower. New outdoor terraced seating areas will provide space for people to relax and enjoy being next to the water creating an ambient welcome to the centre.

New gym

A new 24 hour gym is going to open at The Barcode. Plymouth Council has given conditional planning permission to allow the venture, which will be in “Unit 11”, which has remained empty since the retail and leisure site opened five years ago. The name of the gym has not yet been revealed.

Assisted Dying

Plymouth’s two Labour MPs voted in favour of the Assisted Dying Bill in the House of Commons last week. Luke Pollard, MP for Plymouth Sutton & Devonport said he gave the matter “careful consideration” and that he was calling for further safeguards to be added. Fred Thomas, MP for Plymouth Moor View, said it was not an easy decision, but that he believed “people with a terminal diagnosis should have the freedom to choose the means and timing of their passing”.

Bridge re-opens

The Laira Rail Bridge walking and cycling link has reopened following essential repairs to the bridge deck, which have taken a year to complete. The repairs included new steel beams and decking. Work to install new lighting isn’t completed yet but Plymouth Council says it knew “people wanted to be able to use this popular route as soon as possible,” so re-opened it this week. The bridge closed in December last year.

Understanding Rays

The secret lives of rays as they grow from eggs to pups are to be opened up to Plymouth residents as part of an initiative to connect people with the natural wonders on their doorsteps.

The Little Rays of Hope project will see the lives of rays and skate living off the Plymouth coastline captured and shared digitally so people see what happens under the waves in the Plymouth Sound National Marine Park. It's one of the first projects in the park’s Nature Boost Programme, which aims to inspire people to care about protecting our natural environment and learn how they can make a difference. To kickstart the project, four female rays—four Spotted Rays—were carefully collected from the Mewstone area to lay their eggs in a safe, controlled environment.

Forum Consultation

The Hoe Neighbourhood Plan has been years in the making. The draft Plan is now be subject to a period of public consultation, during which local people and statutory consultees – such as Plymouth City Council, Natural England, and Historic England – have a right to review and comment on the Plan and its policies. The latest chances to chat and have your say are:

Tuesday, December 3, 4-6pm at the Gipsy Moth Pub

Wednesday, December 11 - a special online video meeting using Zoom, from 4-6pm. For joining details email: hello@hoeforum.org.uk)

Friday, December 13, 12-2pm at the Hoe Bowling Club

Advent singsong

St Andrews Church is holding an advent carol concert this Friday evening (December 6) at 7.30pm, with fundraising for the city’s homeless charities.

There is also a community choir carols service on Sunday evening (December 8) at 6.30pm.

Christmas Box

There’s a chance to feel festive and start your Christmas shopping with a “Local Makers Christmas Market” at The Box on Thursday December 5. Entry is free and booking is “advised but not essential.”

Running from 6-8pm, the evening promises locally made items from a range of makers. The Box Kitchen & Bar will be open serving hot and cold festive drinks, and there is the festive promise of a seasonal special discount in the Box’s own onsite shop on the night.

The Box also has a few spaces remaining for a festive wreath making workshop with local artist Karen Evans on Saturday 7 December. Create a gorgeous seasonal wreath using willow, evergreen foliage and other natural materials. Details here:

Run It Off

Christmas is coming. But you can beat the excess of the season with two special festive Central Park ParkRun events. On Christmas Day morning and New Year’s Day morning, Park Run events will start at 9am. These are in addition to the regular weekly Saturday runs, which go ahead on December 21 and 28.

Contact the Beagle

If you have news you’d like to see featured by The Beagle, of if you would like to write a regular column, we’d love to hear from you. Email: contactthebeagle@gmail.com