The Friday edition...
No pop-ups, no obtrusive adverts - just what's going on in and around the Hoe and Plymouth's waterside communities. Today anniversary swans; who has bought the former Register Office, and Beryl bikes
More e-bikes but no Beryl scooters
The team behind Plymouth’s Beryl bikes says there are no plans to bring e-scooters to the city as part of the Connect Plymouth programme aiming to change people’s travel habits.
The electric bike-for-rent scheme came to the city 18 months ago.
Since then the bikes have been ridden more than 267,000 miles - further than the distance between Earth and the Moon. The scheme has generated more than 175,000 sustainable journeys and, according to industry calculations, they’ve prevented more than 12 tonnes of carbon emissions - a significant impact on traffic congestion and air quality.
Some other cities to embrace the Beryl scheme have also allowed e-scooters, including Bournemouth and Norwich.
But there is currently no proposal to bring them to the ocean city.
But what about vandalism? The Beagle recently reported on an apparent spate of damage, leaving Beryl bikes on the waterfront with flat tyres, broken stands, and missing saddles.
James Williamson from Beryl told us: “It’s always disappointing to see this and we would appeal to anyone misusing the bikes to please respect them and ensure they are available for other people to use.
“We will work with Devon and Cornwall Police to investigate any incidents of theft or criminal damage and retain the option to suspend and ban/remove accounts for improper use of the scheme.”
He added: “Bike schemes will almost universally experience occasional incidents of vandalism and antisocial behaviour and Plymouth is no different in this respect.”
But he was upbeat about the positive impact Beryl bikes were having on the city, pointing out there were now 510 e-bikes available to ride, with new bike bays opening this Autumn at Derriford.
“Beryl is responsible for more than 45,000 hours of physical activity and exercise, which is scientifically proven to boost mental and physical health. These milestones reaffirm just how successful our electric bikes have been in Plymouth over the past eighteen months,” he said.
Register office plan
In case you missed it, here is our report from earlier this week into the sale of the former Register Office.
It went for a snip - snapped up by a developer for £827,000. We understand the cost to clear the plot will be a further six-figure sum.
The Beagle is sniffing the trail to find out who has bought the site and what is planned.
So far nothing, except a whisper that it was bought by a developer with a “national” profile.
We will stay on the scent… (If you hear anything, throw us a bone here)
Swans landing at TRP
It is three decades years since it caused a sensation. Now Matthew Bourne’s Swan Lake is about to embark on its 30th anniversary tour, all starting at the Theatre Royal. Rehearsals and the tech build of this latest tour have been taking place all week at TRP ahead of the show launch next Monday.
Without doubt the most successful dance theatre production of all time, this major revival sees a new generation of dancers performing.
Matthew Bourne’s Swan Lake is at Theatre Royal Plymouth from November 11 to 16r before visiting The Lowry, Salford, ahead of an 8-week Christmas season at Sadler’s Wells. Matthew Bourne has said: “It’s hard to believe that our Swan Lake is now 30 years old and even harder to acknowledge that we are now casting most Swans and Princesses who were not even born at the time of the show’s premiere!”
Bookings and information ➡️ https://theatreroyal.com/
But they had better mind the roof….
Urgent repairs to the theatre roof will get underway next week. Plymouth City Council is landlord to the building and is funding the work, which is needed to stop water getting in through the fly tower and smoke vent roofs. The repairs include new felting and drainage improvements. Scaffolding has started to go up to the rear of the theatre in preparation for the work to be carried out by contractors Cleggs and Shortman. It is expected to take 12 weeks. TRP says performances will not be affected.
Oooh la la
A festival of French cinema opens at the Plymouth Arts Cinema next week.
The cinema’s French operations manager Manon Le Tual has curated this year’s selection of films, which opens next Wednesday (November 13) with The Marching Band, a French take on the classic Brassed Off.
Tickets and full info ➡️ https://plymouthartscinema.org/
Secret Fireflys
This sounds sweet - for one night only a “secret firefly garden” will light up the Elizabethan Gardens in New Street.
It’s an event organised by the charity ‘trevi’ on Thursday 28 November from 6pm, and is described as a “night of hope art installation.”
The Secret Firefly Garden will feature a display of illuminated fireflies, symbolising light and resilience. As the garden lights up, attendees will have the opportunity to reflect on their experiences and the journeys of others affected by trauma, violence and abuse.
This night of hope serves as a reminder that no one is alone in their struggles.
Tickets and fireflies ➡️ https://trevi.org.uk/event/firefly/
Remember
A reminder it’s Remembrance Sunday this weekend.
The new Bishop of Exeter, The Rt Revd Dr Mike Harrison, will lead this year's service on the Hoe.
The Band of His Majesty’s Royal Marines take up position in front of the Memorial from 10:35 and the service formally starts at 11am with a two minute silence, marked at the start and end with gun salutes.
The service following will last about 20 minutes.
You can download the order of service with hymns, readings and prayers by clicking here, and if you’re not able to attend you can watch on a special live stream on YouTube here.
Thanks for reading!