Outline plan for community hub - GETTING BACK TO NORMAL - stonehouse voice
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Inside: Creative Stonehouse—the great stuff that’s happened during lockdown
GETTING BACK TO NORMAL
Outline plan for
community hub
The image above is the Millfields and help revitalise the district. We inform Block D2’s design and, as a be at ease and use the improved
Trust’s vision of a building that want to encourage and promote a highlight, it will have a crow’s nest public realm and gardens near
will transform the west end of vibrant community.” viewing platform on the eighth Battery Street, where there will be
Union Street and the Stonehouse The four blocks on the site, floor as part of a conference centre. a north-south route connecting
community beyond. adjacent to the Genesis Building, Visitors will have panoramic views North Stonehouse to Millbay.
With the unassuming temporary are connected at ground level by across the city and Plymouth Sound The Millfields Trust says it will take
name of Block D, the stunning an arched courtyard, gardens, and and access to a bridge leading to care to prevent the surrounding
complex comprises four fully pathways to be used as meeting the top floor of D1, where there is a area’s gentrification as the build
accessible blocks made up of high- places, a venue for outdoor shows second conference centre. gets underway.
quality apartments, commercial and exhibitions or just for people to All the proposed activities at the The completed building will have
units, workspaces, outdoor sit or linger. top of the buildings will be publicly sustainable transport solutions,
gardens, and a budget hotel. Block D1 has a welcoming accessible – for the residents of including a mobility hub and
The aim is to create an iconic, entrance, a café or coffee shop, Millfields, Stonehouse and the appropriate car parking levels in a
eco-friendly, and sustainable shared co-working, and a wider community reconfigured car park space at the
building that is a beacon for the mezzanine. There will be a mix of Block D3 is mainly residential front of HQ and within HQ.
neighbourhood and a place for the apartments on the upper floors, apartments facing East Street City architects Clifton Emery
community to use and meet. including outdoor space and a and central green space. Block Design are currently developing
Millfields Trust chief executive 20-bed bespoke hotel. Residents D4 will be small commercial units the plans to lodge a planning
Roger Pipe said: “This will be a will have access to the external designed for arts and crafts use. application in May or June.
community hub in which everyone areas, including balconies and roof A significant feature of the hub is It is part of Plymouth’s Resurgam
is welcome. Our ambition is for it to terraces. that it will feel open and welcoming. regeneration and recovery plan
become the centre of Stonehouse Navy and Union Street history will Everyone will be encouraged to following the Covid-19 pandemic.
We’re
supported by
Page 2 The Stonehouse Voice
Scrapstore getting ready to open
A message from the Scrapstore: Our volunteers are getting ready are wanting to make a group visit,
“By the time you lovely people are to return, it will be different for them please give us a call to discuss.
reading this we are hopeful that our too! More than 4,000 Bags of Loveliness,
doors will be properly open, not just So, we hope that from 10am on Respect, Hope, Learning, Creativity,
‘call and collect”’or ‘call and drop off’ Tuesday, April 13, we will be able to Craft-fullness, Play and of course
but that we will be welcoming you have 10 shoppers in the store at any Happiness have been distributed to
back in. time, we still have a one-way system families across the City and beyond.
Of course, it’s not going to be the in place. We still have a few bags left so
same, for many reasons it will be But there will be more space; please ask. With our Box of scrap
different, it has certainly been a for the time being our coffee and and loose parts project we are busy
challenge since we last spoke to you. workshop area will disappear giving making sure that our Early years and
The small but beautifully formed more room to display and shop. play providers have some of what
team has been working incredibly Until the next turn in the ‘roadmap’ they need to make those special
hard to make the Scrapstore a safe we will open on Tuesdays and moments for children and young
and welcoming place for the future. Thursdays from 10-2, but if you people.
or Wednesdays. lockdowns, restrictions, and school character, that’s what the area is
The group is a space for home closures! But now things are on about.”
educating parents and children to the up, we are excited to get stuck Hopefully Stonehouse stays local
meet, socialise and play. back in to working with our 11 and full of character, and not get
There’s a friendly atmosphere partner schools across Stonehouse, gentrified in time. It’s much better
with vegan food and snacks served Devonport and Whitleigh. We are to have colour and character in my
and music playing. also going to be actively working in opinion.
An indoor and enclosed outdoor community engagement so keep Tom is also interested in setting
space are available for the children an eye out for opportunities with up a Stonehouse Magic Circle so
to run around safely. your local community hubs! As get in touch with him if you’re
There are no formal lessons. It’s we move into the Summer, there interested.
merely an opportunity for children will be pop-up performances and
and their parents to develop workshops for young people and
friendships and support each other their families to get involved in. We
in a relaxed setting. hope to see you at some of those!
Contact chioribennett@gmail. Want to know more or get
com for details. involved with our project? Drop
Welcome
us a line at jess.blackledge@
theatreroyal.comor follow us on
social media.
boxes Children’s
The Devon and Cornwall Furniture
Reuse Project has secured funding
from Plymouth City Council to Centre help
purchase white goods including Your local Children’s Centre
A busy lockdown for the Scrapstore volunteers making Bags of Happiness cookers, washing machines, and continues to be there for you
fridge freezers to give to people and your children under five,
who are referred to them for free. and we can provide support and
Volunteers Delivery It’s part of a scheme called DCFRP
Warmer Home 4u that makes it
information to families in the
Stonehouse area.
wanted service easier for people to move into a Check our Green Ark and Manor
new home. Street Children’s Centre Facebook
page, which is full of ideas to do Amber Amare
The package includes a Welcome
The Kintsugi Project will soon be A new cycle delivery service with your little ones as well as live
Local
To Your New Home boxes -
launching a community fridge in has been launched in Stoke and stories, songs, and activities.
everything in the box is brand new
Stonehouse. Stonehouse. We are running two virtual groups
and will include a duvet, pillows,
A community fridge is a space
where anyone can take or donate
Steve Turner, who runs Pedal Box,
is currently delivering for the Heyl
bedding, 16-piece cutlery set and
tea towels.
a week using TEAMS and are
accepting referrals for one-to-one
videographer
food that would otherwise go to and Roam bakeries. support and baby massage. Freelance videographer Amber
At the organisation’s base in
waste. He said: “I would love to provide For more information, visit Amare lives in North Stonehouse
Union Street, Alison Turner, chair of
It will be open to all, fostering a delivery to more residents of our Facebook page or call and works with local companies
the DCFRP said: “We are trying to
spirit of sharing, reducing social Stonehouse and connect them 07971094826 or 07921491876. and business to create social
get some funding to purchase bath
isolation, and mutual aid. with businesses in the area.” content. She also works on funded
Stonehouse
towels and bathmats to go into
Food waste is a big issue and Contact him through short courses to guide local
the boxes. This is so people will
it’s estimated that a third of all his Facebook page @ companies into creating their own
not have to worry about so many
food gets wasted. Most of this is
avoidable!
pedalboxplymouth or email at
pedalboxplymouth@gmail.com
necessities when they move home
or into a new home.
Street games videos.
She studied at Plymouth
The Stonehouse Community Tom Mills, who has taken over the College of Art and is director,
Fridge, hosted by Leadworks CIC
and the Kintsugi Project, helps
Infinite “This is of course as well as all
of the free of charge furniture we
Old Morgue building in Manor
Street, is looking to spread some
cinematographer and sound
recordist. At 25, she has
donate to people in need free of
cut food waste, build stronger
bonds within the community and Minds charge.“
fun across the neighbourhood.
He wants to start a street game
already been commissioned by
organisations such as Google,
redistributes good quality food.
We are looking for volunteers
Chi Bennett will be running a
home education support group
With Flying project which involves setting up
10 folding tables to encourage
Kelly’s Ice Cream, Tate Modern,
New Look and Intersex UK.
who might be interested in
supporting fridge activities, such
called Infinite Minds, held every
Monday at Union Corner, 2-5 pm. Colours people to play games like chess,
poker, dominoes, or card games-
Locally, she has collaborated
with funded groups, artists, and
as helping with food collections, It’s been running with fewer With Flying Colours is a Plymouth with no money involved, just for institutions such as Imperfect
fridge monitoring, welcoming than 15 people per session during Cultural Education Partnership fun. Orchestra, Plymouth College of Art,
people to the space, and the lockdown, but more people (PCEP) pilot project bringing play- He said: “People always say Rebel Film Festival and Plymouth
promotion including on social are welcome to attend when this making and performance to young Stonehouse is too rough for this Pavilions.
media. If you’d like to get involved restriction eases. people in Plymouth. Like all of us, and that, my opinion is that’s Contact Amber at
please email alice@kintsugiproject. The group plans to book an our project hasn’t been smooth rubbish, it’s friendly, fun, open to amberamarefilms@gmail.com or
org - we’d love to hear from you. additional slot, either on Tuesdays sailing over the past year-battling ideas, and the locals love a bit of www.amberamarefilms.com.
The Stonehouse Voice Page 3 Join the party on the Hoe It’s the Street Factory Promenade Get Down Dance king and queen Toby and Jo Street Factory’s Jo and Toby G be incorporating this into are planning to get the whole of their Mayflower honorary Plymouth singing and dancing. commemorative dance activity in They are working on a song and July this year, titled Roots Up! new dance moves that will be The team will focus on links performed at a huge public event between Plymouth, the USA, the on the Hoe during summer. Netherlands, and the Wampanoag The song—STF, it’s a fam—has tribes. However, this dance spans been written by two young rappers all nations. and is based on the ethos of the Song lyrics which are part of the Street Factory, love, peace, and event, Go with me, protect me and harmony. don’t leave me behind, resonate Toby is devising dance moves with Toby G’s life story. Toby arrived to go with the song which will be in Plymouth from his native Poland released in May, six weeks ahead of aged just 14, unable to speak Toby G urging people to join the Jerusalema dance campaign the event. a word of English. He and his The couple hope thousands of family, all members of the Romani people will learn the moves and gypsy community, were fleeing turn up at the Hoe to perform persecution and came to Britain a mass dance in front of a giant seeking refuge. screen specially erected for the Jo added that they will be event. involved in some high-end theatre Jo said: “It’s a really cool song and this summer, including one show the words embody all of what we in which Max Revell appears. Max, wish for people. We’re hoping lots who won the BBC Young Dancer of of people turn up and join us.” the Year in 2019, started dancing at The couple, who are creators of the Street Factory when nine-years the UK’s first Hip Hop theatre in old. Stonehouse, are preparing for a Toby, who was awarded an MBE busy summer. for his Outstanding Community They are still encouraging everyone Contribution said, “We are so to use the power of dance to connect excited by the Jerusalema dance with all nations through learning challenge and love everything the simple steps of the worldwide this stands for as a literal mass trending Jerusalema dance. ‘movement’. The Jerusalema challenge is a “It’s fun, positive, uplifting, joyful global phenomenon; it’s a gospel- and uniting. So much so, that influenced house song by South we will incorporate this into our African producer, Master KG and Mayflower 400 commemorative performed by singer-songwriter, activity later this year, as its topical, Nomcebo. Co-founder of Street contemporary, and relevant to Factory. today with the overarching theme Toby G, has created a tutorial of of connection across borders. This the dance moves for everyone to is particularly important during learn and post online, tagging their a time when everyone is feeling friends, family, and co-workers, isolated because of the COVID-19 challenging them to also do the pandemic. dance in a bid to forge connections “Dance and music are universal, on a global level during the they see no boundaries. Here at pandemic. Street Factory, we also don’t see The dance can be viewed and boundaries or race, we believe we learned on YouTube and you can are all one. So, come on people of send your videos through to Street Plymouth, get learning this dance, Factory’s Facebook page and remaining socially distanced of the team will share across their course and strictly within your platforms. bubbles. I can’t wait to see you all The Street Factory team will move.”
Page 4 The Stonehouse Voice
The Plot that keeps on growing
Lacey Marks and Laura
Kelly give an update on
what’s been happening
at The Plot
This time last year, we were busy
planning when we could open
The Plot on Union Street with lots
of activities that people could join.
Once Covid hit, unfortunately, like
many others, our best-laid plans
had to wait. When we could,
construction of toilets and sheds
were in full swing, and the Jabulani
food court had a few great months
of settling in before Christmas and
even a fab Christmas market.
Now, as Easter is around the
corner, we are looking forward
to having our doors open as
restrictions ease, and The Plot is
almost complete! So, who is in the
building? When you come in the
doors, find a Nudger to have a chat
with inside the greenhouse. On the
left, keep an ear out for Omnium Maryam at the Plymouth Jollof Kitchen in The Plot, Union Street
radio station; they are passionate
about giving everyone the Street Factory and Facebook Live to ride a bike, fixing your bike and
opportunity of learning radio skills. exercise classes. trekking on Dartmoor; they will
They welcome anyone no matter The Plymouth Hope team just help you become a fan of cycling.
their abilities; with over 20 shows moved in last week; they even Finish off your five minutes or one
to choose from, there is something brought a tennis table with them. hour (depending on who you get
for everyone. They are a sports charity passionate chatting to) walk through the Plot
As you walk past the greenhouse, about racial harmony in Plymouth at Jabulani food court for lunch.
artist Carmen Wong loves to chat through education; they run Providing a multi-cultural mix of
about Jar Squad, which is tasty food football clubs, homework clubs, food from around the world, such
in jars and promotes conversations have gotten all their users online as West African, Thai, and Ethiopian
about Plymouth’s circular food during Covid - 19 and work with food.
production. On to our street of schools across Plymouth. Plymouth Jollof Kitchen has been
Omnium DJ Dr Foxy with Tania and Cynthia from the Diversity Business Incubator
sheds or shed street, where Joedy As we get closer to the big Grow open through the third lockdown;
sign, you might get caught up in the wonderful Maryam has been
Filling the airwaves
Lawrence from Smarta Reductions
can help you get an energy-saving a moth trap by Plymouth Energy overwhelmed by repeat customers’
deal in the first shed. Check out Community shed. support.
The Care Nest if you’re in need of A social enterprise and charity They are open Tuesday- Saturday
that want to bring local people and from noon till 6 pm. Pop down and Omnium Radio is an inclusive radio
a little bit of self-love or support,
organisations together to tackle try their tasty food. Don’t forget station that gives everyone the FREE DRINK
run on a sliding payment scale
the climate crisis and help your to grab a bag of yummy African opportunity of being involved in Visit Omnium Radio in the
depending on your needs. Creative
home with better energy solutions. doughnuts from Mama Odette the airways.
Curiosities offer therapeutic, special Clipper and enjoy a free
Have you just moved into a new at the coffee stand. You won’t be From humble beginnings in Trace
educational needs and disability hot drink
flat? Do you need some curtains or disappointed! Jared-Davis’s bedroom, they now
sessions for young people centred
want to save some money on your We have a couple of sheds still have a studio in The Plot that runs
around nature and art. Plymouth
bills? Have a chat with PEC and available at £130 per month, alongside their music hub and a
Parkour may be doing tricks all over
browse their curtain bank. including all bills, so if you live in cafe in The Clipper.
Plymouth, but they have moved
They welcome people of all Music Cafe & Community Hub.
their office into a shed to plan their Mountain Bike Collective’s garage Stonehouse and want to give your
abilities. Trace said: We coach The Clipper now features a second
activities with children & young is just opposite PEC; they offer business a go, we want to hear
people with disabilities, learning radio studio, a small performance
adults. Majik and the team are workshops and classes for kids and from you! Email hello@nudge.
difficulties, and mental health stage and seating for refreshments
currently running sessions out of young adults, from learning how community
issues to become radio presenters, such as hot drinks, cold drinks, and
which means that we go the extra hot food items.
Time to enter Your Work Here mile to make our equipment and
training program easier for those
with additional needs.
Trace said: “The Clipper has now
become the heart of Omnium
Radio CIC as the income generated
Last year through Creative Civic Our Work Here is asking local “We currently have presenters of from the cafe is what keeps funding
Change funding, Nudge ran a people: Could you do better than all abilities including mental health the Omnium Radio broadcasting
competition with Plymouth Design famous artists such as Van Gogh, issues, from hidden disabilities and all the work we do as a radio
Forum for a project to bring Joy and Picasso or Georgia O’ Keefe? to autism, blindness and downs station both behind the scenes and
Colour to Union Street. We want them to submit a picture syndrome. with the community.
Jordon Hill is a local designer and of a scan of their own artwork. We “We are working toward “Currently, we also play host
one of the winners. We loved that will then print and post on the wall customising our equipment to to support groups such as
his project would look bold on the in Palace Square (shown left). enable it to be integrated with Hidden Lives www.hiddenlives.
street and let local people join in. It Each month we will be adding new cochlear implants to be accessible org & Mindful Art Club www.
has taken a while due to covid to submissions to create an outdoor to people will hearing loss.” mindfullartclub.co.uk along with
get the project off the ground, but gallery of local talent. So, show us In October last year, they moved many more support groups and
we can’t wait to see who joins in what you got. from a Barne Barton studio to The community activities starting as
and how the wall will complement Email flat2@houseofmouth.com Plot, which is fully accessible to the pandemic restrictions begin to
the Igneous Interactives mural, the or hello@nudge.community with wheelchair users. ease.
coloured electrical boxes, and the your entry or pop into The Plot on And in December last year, they For more detail about The Clipper
Lockdown gallery on the Two Trees Union Street and we can take a took over The Clipper’s running, and what Omnium does, visit www.
hoardings. photo for you. which they transformed into a theclipper.org
The Stonehouse Voice Page 5
Wonder of Window Wanderland
Window Wanderland is a great way
to connect people during Covid
times and turn streets into outdoor
galleries.
And that’s what Claire Hyatt
Harris and the Scrapstore did
in Stonehouse to celebrate the
International Day of Happiness
over the weekend of March 20-21.
The DIY event is a festival of home
art and light that sees people
transform their neighbourhood
into a colourful playground using
paper cut-outs in their windows.
Claire, a travel officer with the
Sustrans charity, applied to the
Stronger North Stonehouse
community Sparks fund to finance
a festival this year. More than 30
homes across Stonehouse took
part.
She linked up with the Scrapstore,
where volunteers made up ‘Bags
of Happiness’, which included
scissors, glue and A4/A5 paper
and acetate to make the window
decorations.
Claire decided on the idea when
she saw the many coloured
rainbows celebrating the NHS and
Christmas lights.” She said: “We
need to be at home, but we need
to connect. Doing something like
this makes you feel connected
to other streets, and it will get us
outside for our daily exercise.”
The festival was founded in Bristol
in 2015 by Lucy Reeves Khan,
a set designer who developed
mobility problems following a
car accident. She said at the time:
“It’s such a simple idea, but when
Displays in Durnham Street (top) and the Fig Tree restaurant, Admiralty St, where people come together, it creates A Plymouth Hoe scene (top left), smiley faces in Admiral Street (top right), and a
Tanya made a display that included hand-prints made by St George’s school pupils something beautiful and powerful.” farmyard and flower display in Admiral’s Hard
Better mental health with Laura Ashenford, MBACP, Psychotherapeutic Counsellor
How to recover from the strains and stresses of lockdown: Accept, find purpose, laugh, dance, sleep, give help, feel gratitude, and forgive
Ok, deep breaths … in through experience fear and reluctance to I was fortunate, or I could say to be with and start to aim to live the here and now like your child’s
the nose for four, then out through come back, which is normal. How inspired by the fact that when the that life as if you are living it now. smile, the sun on your face or
the mouth for six, … repeat… I do we find happiness again; how first lockdown hit, I was studying • Just laugh, have fun, do not take something you ate.
can do this; I know I can…’ until do we find the freedom of joy; for an academic piece about ‘Joy’ life too seriously, find humour • Forgive, this may be the hardest
the anxiety subsides. This exercise how do we even contemplate that and happiness’, my reaction was where you can and allow yourself thing of all to do, and yet I have
has been my mantra every time I this is a possibility? We start small. to immerse myself more into the to let go. found this personally to be the
felt my life was about to spiral out We begin by finding gratitude research to blank out what was • Dance or exercise; I danced to the most releasing thing I have ever
of control throughout this living in the moment, in the here and going on around me… the result most upbeat, happy music I could done. By letting go of the past,
nightmare. How many of you now, because that is what we was I learned an awful lot about find like no-one was watching, and I have given myself a gift that
recognise this? And yet, I would have influence over. The past has what joy and happiness are and I felt good. I now dance whilst I am surpasses all others, as I no longer
consider myself lucky as I am gone; the future is unknown and how you can actively place yourself washing-up, and I can feel those carry such a massive burden of
aware; I am currently in a state of out of our control. Recognise in these states by creating healthy endorphins surging happiness ‘beating myself up’ or holding
good mental health, I know many these precious moments for habits. Here are some of those throughout my body. onto the anger and pain attached
do not have this. Is this because what they are, gifts. Because healthy habits that enable you • Get sleep; our bodies need it. It to it. It helps if you remember
my life has been easier? Upon these small ‘moments’ add up to connect with happiness, that I is hard to feel good if your body is the forgiveness is of yourself, not
reflection in some ways, maybe, and become greater and more found helpful. feeling deprived. *Ask for help; it them. You are forgiving the part
but during this time, I have known significant, they have the power • Accept that you cannot be happy seems we are reluctant to ask for of you that once trusted them, as
significant loss and grief. Reflecting to change your perspective on all the time; it is unrealistic. There what we need, check what is going the perpetrators have long since
upon this, I would like to say that life; they move you away from are times when it is appropriate to on within ourselves when this disappeared and do not care.
we do not understand how each the darkness and the depressed feel the ‘negative’ emotions. Having happens, question it, and this links Holding onto whatever it is that
of us has been affected and what state these Lockdowns have these other emotions helps you into the next part. stops you from letting go gets in
emotional burden we carry around taken you to. Do not think big like to recognise when you are happy; • Give help; it may just be a simple the way of you being happy and
within us, which is vital as we come buying possessions or holidays; they also help you to survive. gesture like letting someone in don’t deserve to be happy? Have
out of this ‘tunnel’ of lockdown. they can bring disappointment • Find a purpose (perhaps create whilst in the traffic queue and let belief in finding your moments to
We should show each other as the expectations exceed the a vision board of what you want in the deed itself be your reward; you cherish, and they will come. I wish
understanding. What will it look experience. Start small, then your life and put it where you can will feel good. you all happiness and joy.
like? It will be different from what gradually grow bigger as your life see it), imagine a great life doing • Feel gratitude where you can; Laura can be contacted by
we used to know, and we may gains a new equilibrium. what you want, with who you want look for it in the smallest places in telephone: Ring 07711057776
Page 6 The Stonehouse Voice
A light at the end of the tunnel
Bronwen Hewitt MBE ripe old age of one as a happy
and sparkling little boy with no
looks forward to the end of obvious effects of lockdown. My
husband suffered a heart attack
lockdown and talks about at the beginning of March which
was a complete shock to us but
her favourite schemes— has survived and we feel very lucky
that he is back home and healthier.
Leadworks and the We cannot praise the 111 service,
Kintsugi Project the paramedics and Derriford
Hospital enough for their empathy,
Yes, we’ve all had enough, we all Lifeline to be able to offer free expertise and information;
miss the spontaneous ‘Let’s go tablets including data for people especially after such a difficult year
to the pub!’ We all miss people with learning disabilities. Finally, for them. Our family, our friends
and hugs. A lot of us have had to we are excited that the Kintsugi and our neighbours were so
manage this and the affect it has Community garden is also very wonderfully supportive.
had on our wellbeing, we have felt near to opening up after a year’s This period of time has also given
vulnerable but our thoughts are hard work to ensure that it was us positives such as the time to
with those that have lost loved accessible. be creative, time to talk, plan and
ones and those that have not Millfields Trust has been very reflect on what is important and
been able to see their families and busy supporting their tenants how we really want to live our lives.
friends. throughout these times as well as It has demonstrated the kindness
The organisations I am involved planning two very exciting new and care that runs through the
with have been as busy as ever projects. They have a fantastic staff residents of Stonehouse. I wonder
making sure that we adapt, use team who must be exhausted by whether the new resolutions will
the time to be ready to open again now but still remain passionate disappear in a puff of smoke;
and, more importantly, supporting about the Trust’s work and hopefully not.
the people we are here to serve, Stonehouse! Now we look forward to getting
trying to alleviate that isolation As UK Chair for IASE (International more freedom, albeit with caution,
that many are experiencing. Association of Special Education) I sharing our stories, and connecting
Leadworks has taken the joined a global zoom to share how with the rest of the human race.
opportunity to finish our public different countries had managed Cue What a Wonderful World by
sitting room and the recording during this pandemic. Stories of Louis Armstrong!
studio which will be up and ingenuity, passion and heartbreak
running soon. We look forward were in abundance. It’s always
to welcoming two placements good to count your blessings. And don’t miss this
via the Kickstarter funding and From that I will be working with a For the past 12 months, the
cannot wait to welcome everyone wonderful woman in Rhode Island members of the British public
back to our exciting schedule of to share the Kintsugi/Leadworks have been subject to much
events. Let’s get the art exhibitions, model. We have also been change, disappointment and let The new look at Leadworks in Rendle Street
the live gigs and the fun started! approached by an organisation downs. None more so than the
Plymouth College of Art and in Italy who are keen to model postponement of Arthole’s (Isis
Plymouth University have already our projects’ philosophy. People Davidge and Will Watters) debut
booked their exhibitions! Please want society to be inclusive and art exhibition Life’s a Yoke and then
keep an eye out for a photography diverse and we are really happy you Fry.
project by Jamie House called ‘I am that this will be modelled in other As mentioned in previously, the
not what you see’ countries. show will focus on satirising
The Kintsugi Project has been I still marvel at the will to get life’s more interesting and more
thrilled to receive funding for things done in Stonehouse and miserable moments of the past
a community fridge and, with the creativity with which the year. Contextualising them into
Leadworks, will be adding a community does that. Only last more digestible and humorous
hygiene and baby bank; much week I was involved in three segments, while maintaining an
needed. Other successful projects separate discussions for exciting emphasis on taking life by the
are our radio rescue kits which new projects! horns and seeing where you land.
have been assembled and given Family and friends and community Isis davidge and Will Watters are
to some in our community that are the beginning and end of our both highly influenced by an
are isolated so that they can learn happiness and this last year has abstract and naive style while also
to create and broadcast their brought this to the forefront of our reflecting values expressed by 80’s
own shows from their homes. minds. Personally, I have enjoyed pop art.
We have partnered with Digital seeing my grandson reach the Life’s a Yoke and then you Fry
promises to be a night to
A reading library in the cafe area of Leadworks
remember in a post pandemic
future.
We acknowledge our art may
not reflect everyone’s values and
beliefs and our visual outcomes
may not please the parish vicar.
But we hope to offer an olive
branch of comedy and another
way of seeing to a world we feel
desperately needs cheering up.
It may be always raining in
plymouth but let’s learn to put up
with it.
Arthole will transform leadworks
into a two-day house of fun and
create two enjoyable evenings of
art, conversation and music.
The fat lady hasn’t sung and the
Lewys and Eric make their music podcast called The Kintsugi Music Store show will go on. The Kintsugi garden project is taking shape in Keyham
The Stonehouse Voice Page 7
An amazing transformation
The setting up of a Safer Streets fund
in North Stonehouse has started to
transform the neighbourhood in a
remarkably quick time.
As if by overnight, art works
have appeared, graffiti cleared,
murals have been painted and
untidy corners cleared up in what
amounts to a massive spring clean.
A total of £546,781 was awarded
to the district to reduce acquisitive
crime and install crime deterrents
such as CCTV and better street
lighting.
Police and Crime Commissioner
for Devon and Cornwall Alison
Hernandez worked with residents,
the neighbourhood policing
team, Plymouth City Council and
the Plymouth Community Safety Joe Greenaway with the artwork that
Partnership, Safer Plymouth, to forms the subject of the mural in North
put the bid together to support Road West, and right, the finished work
greater connectivity.
They formed the Stronger has administered the Community
North Stonehouse project, which Sparks project.
has offered residents access to “The panel set quite stringent
additional security measures parameters to work within, but
such as improved home security, the bids were so strong the vast
neighbourhood watch schemes, majority passed the threshold.
and crime prevention advice. “As a result, the £20,000 budget
They also set up a Community doubled to accommodate them all,
Sparks fund to help community and in total, we awarded £41,904
members to develop public spaces. in grants. To help as many projects
Last month almost £42,000 of as we can, we have been able to
grants from its Community Sparks re-direct some underspent funds
fund were handed out. There from other parts of the project and
were 30 applications for funding increase the initial £20,000 budget
ranging from £150 to a maximum for the Sparks fund.”
of £3,000. Photographs of some of the
The dozens of projects range from projects are shown on Pages eight
individuals receiving gardening and nine overleaf.
tools to clean up the patch in front Meanwhile, Cliik, the North
of their homes to composting ideas Stonehouse community group
and painting Virgin Media’s internet commissioned a large-scale mural
boxes with incredible art. by Cornwall artist Joe Greenaway
“The number and quality of as part of their clean-up plans.
applications were astounding,” His amazing work shown here can
said Wendy Hart, director of be seen on the side of a house on
Nudge Community Builders, who North Road West.
Joe putting the finishing touches to the North Road West mural
Picture by Brett Lockwood
Page 8 The Stonehouse Voice
When Sparks flew and lit
A project that is already making
a striking visual difference to the
North Stonehouse neighbourhood
is Jen and Tom’s Green Box project,
which involves painting up to 30
Virgin Media internet boxes with
colourful art. Each artist is paid £100
which includes £20 for materials.
Tom, a former BT regional
director, said: “There are more
than 100 street furniture items in
Stonehouse, all covered in tags
and graffiti. We proposed to get a
different artist to mural a green box
so, with £3,000 of funding, we can
have 30 green boxes transformed
into beautiful works of art.
“If we pick a green box on every
road in North Stonehouse, it will
impact every street so everyone
will feel positively impacted,
people can take pride in their Street
and not feel excluded.
“People travel from around the
world to visit Bristol for its Street
Art, why not create that street art
culture for Stonehouse.”
The pair, who are directors of Cliik,
hope to create a mural trail to see
all the artworks, which will increase
footfall to the area from across
Plymouth, making Stonehouse a
safer place to live at the same time.
Jen said: “We’re hoping that the
art brings the community closer
together, gets people making
things, and changes the district for
the better.” Artist Heather Knight painting a mural on a BT box near Wyndham Square as part of the Green Box project
Left: Artist Sarah’s Trotter’s work
shows colourful abstract hands using
sign language to spell out a special
message. At the top of the box is the
American version of sign language
which reads: ‘Be Kind’. Below these
words is the British version of sign
language which reads: ‘Connect with
kindness and generosity’.
Below left: local artist Billy Finch’s
picture of his work with Morg Pro
resting on top of the box; and below
right, is local artist Kathy Wray’s Moths
pictured by Brett Lockwood.
Jen and Tom Pointon, the North Stonehouse artists who launched the Green Box scheme.
Tom’s work is to the left of the picture.
The Stonehouse Voice Page 9
up the neighbourhood
Murals bring hidden North
Stonehouse history to life
A second strand to the Stronger North
Stonehouse project has been a mural
project commissioned by Cliik. It began
with Joe Meldrum and Camilla Rose
(pictured left) painting the four sides of
an electricity sub-station in Patna Park
with scenes from North Stonehouse’s
rich history (top left).
Following on, scenic artist Nina Raines
was commissioned to paint a pictorial
history on the sports’ changing rooms
in Victoria Park (photo right).
Lower right: Nina is shown receiving
a bouquet for her work with sign
artist Camilla Rose who worked on
producing the text.
Snapdragons’ project
just grows and grows
A number of Stronger North the area, cleaned the soil, and
Stonehouse funded projects are turned it from a place for anti-social
transforming the former Bowling behaviour into a safe and secure
Club area in Victoria Park. haven.
The area is run by Snapdragons, They’ve teamed up with Tess
a group underpinned by an ethos Wilmot (pictured right) as part of
of bringing communities together her Generous Earth Community
through nature, with projects Composting project, as well as
including a community allotment, Barbara Hampson, Dorothea Orme,
orchard, composting projects, and and Helen Moore of Fashion Fix and
a food coop. Inner City Seeds to create a plant
More than 30 groups and dye garden on site.
organisations are affiliated to The dye will be used in the Fashion
Snapdragons who have just Fix project organised by Barbara
had success with a £22,500 Hampton to recycle and repair
Crowdfunder and are now trying clothing, which includes dyeing.
for a stretch target of £40,000. The garments that will be made
Over the past three years, the will be shown in a Fashion Show to
volunteers have got planning be held in Stonehouse later in the
permission to change the use of year.
Page 10 The Stonehouse Voice
Economic
democracy
conference
Immerse yourself in
sound and light
Real Ideas is holding a conference
to discuss how we can build strong
communities and work towards
economic democracy through
municipalism.
The State of Us event will focus on
the economy’s critical areas where Stand by to visit Plymouth’s most
citizens are building power and exciting venue. The 360° immersive
ownership, with case studies from Dome at the Real Idea’s refurbished
some of Plymouth’s best examples. Devonport Market Hall is ready to
The conference will be three roll and the time to see it is not far
themed two-hour weekly sessions away. The historic building hosts a
and a final plenary event. 15m diameter dome – inspired by
The first session focussing on the dome at SAT in Montreal and
work is on Tuesday, April 20 and the first of its kind in Europe.
will discuss the changing nature of Visitors can explore immersive
work and highlight the solutions realities, without the need for a
forged through new business VR headset, and enjoy a world of
models and enterprises, collective creative experiences.
organising, and localised support The ground floor of the historic
for the self-employed. building will have a co-working
The second session Tuesday, space offering a mix of high and low
April 27, considers the unequal desks, lounge seating and digital
distribution of ownership and screens as well as utilising flexible
access to land and property as partitions to reconfigure spaces for
integral structural inequalities and events and digital experiences.
exploitation in the UK, focusing on All the facilities can all be accessed
local, migrant and worker-owned via the Real Ideas membership.
businesses. Meanwhile, Real Idea’s co-work
The third session, the State of facilities at Ocean Studios will
Resilience, is on Tuesday, May 4 and open from April 12th, but the
will debate the conflict between organisation is asking people who
environmental sustainability and can work from home to do so. But
economic growth and how we can if anyone needs the space, you will
ensure sustainability is at the heart be able to book a slot.
of the struggle for autonomy. The Ocean Studios café will be
The final plenary session is on open from Weds-Fri 9am-2pm
Tuesday, May 18 (1400-1700), with and Sat 10am-2pm. Members’
contributions from municipalist breakfasts will be starting from the
speakers and a plan of action to 17th of May.
take the discussed issues forward. News about Devonport Guildhall
Details on the Real Ideas website: and the opening of Market Hall will
https://realideas.org A plan of the sound system at the 360° immersive Dome in the Devonport Market Hall be coming soon.
Share wealth, not just content
Gareth Hart of Iridescent Ideas says the call for levelling up and fairness in society should also include the giants of the digital sector
A growing sense of inequality leading video calling service was $110 billion. Some could argue but how are artificial intelligence, UBER, Facebook and Amazon but
and unfairness was apparent a co-operatively owned social that Zoom is encouraging social machine learning, driverless they haven’t (yet) got into our
even before COVID struck. A enterprise. connection and that, in and of cars, 5G, data platforms, public consciousness.
handful of people own half the What if the dividends from itself, is a good thing, but Zoom cryptocurrencies and the rest The driver of risk capital is usually
world’s wealth, and many of the that well-known service were is a NASDAQ listed corporate, going to deliver an equal world? private financial returns. So, can we
richest have got richer during the used for social, environmental and its focus is shareholder value The investors in these businesses disentangle the profit motive from
pandemic. or community good rather than creation. But think what those are usually private individuals digital start-ups? It can be done,
The poorest have been hit lining the pockets of remote dividends, the innovation and the and institutions and are out to but it is rare at a global scale – the
hardest by both redundancies and shareholders? The business could enterprising spirit could achieve in maximise returns. Perhaps the next notable examples being Wikipedia
COVID itself. We desperately need be collectively owned – not in a harness for social good. generation of digital companies and Mozilla. Wikipedia alone has
to rethink our economic models nationalised, unentrepreneurial Facebook’s mission to “give could be incentivised through tax given up billions of pounds of
to address this imbalance. For governmental way but as an people the power to build reforms to be at least fifty-one per potential revenue by sticking to its
me, a crucial part of the answer innovative and agile mutual. community and bring the world cent co-operative. They could be ad-free, non-profit approach. But
is stimulating social enterprise, Children could receive a trust closer together” could arguably majority-owned by the people, for think about that for a minute: one
co-operative, and community fund or digital ISA - a portfolio of grace the website ‘about us’ section the people. We would all benefit of the world’s most-visited sites is
business ideas, especially in the shares - in this and other digital of any self-respecting social rather than an elite few. built on an ethical alternative. We
tech sector. companies: setting them up in life enterprise. Mark Zuckerberg could The problem isn’t that these need more people motivated like
Just in case you don’t already with a fairer start. have formed Facebook as a social businesses couldn’t be socially Jimmy Wales and co.
know, a social enterprise is a Zoom’s share price went from less enterprise but chose not to. This enterprising or that social If we collectively owned tech and
business that dedicates its work than $70 per share in January 2020 is the crux of building back fairer enterprises cannot come up with digital entrepreneurs embraced
and profits to achieve a good to $150 per share by the end of in digital: we need to get the next these concepts. The problem is social enterprise and co-operative
cause. Famous examples are The March 2020 and now sits at nearly generation of tech entrepreneurs that social enterprises cannot models, we could genuinely Build
Big Issue, The Eden Project, and $400 per share. to understand and chose social usually mobilise the capital Back Better and create a fairer
Divine Chocolate. At the time of writing this article, enterprise. needed to scale their ideas. There economy. What a difference a
Imagine for a minute that a the company was valued at over Digital opportunities abound, are purpose-driven versions of digital dividend could make.The Stonehouse Voice Page 11
How Millfields
cared for tenants
Sadie Chambers and Mandy the support available from the tenants wishing to downsize or
Tose of The Millfields Trust write: Government regarding grant expand to meet business growth
“We want to take a moment to applications Many have welcomed • We have created additional
commend our talented tenants
on their commitment, insight,
diversity, and bravery throughout
a friendly chat as well
• We held a competition for a free
office makeover
co-working space to meet demand
and social distancing guidelines
with the added introduction of
Garage wins top
this pandemic.
It’s been a situation we hope not
to see again in our life for many
• We have given our buildings
and grounds a makeover
• We gave each tenant a
fixed desks
• We launched a new website
and created regular blogs to keep
service award again
reasons; for business, it was a “welcome back” gift after the first our audience informed and up to A popular Stonehouse vehicle repair experience repairing a wide range of
challenging time for many. lockdown date with our news centre has won a Best Garage in vehicles including light commercial
With a wide range of businesses • In partnership with Nudge • We wrote to our members to Plymouth 2021 award for the second vans.
located in the Millfields Trust provided Genesis as a base ask if they needed any support year running. Whites Autocentre John Kiely said: “The examiners
premises, some suffered harder to increase Wi-Fi for the local • We contributed to the `Small received a Gold star Excellence checked our extensive customer
than others, but we are proud of Stonehouse community, thanks to Business Tool-kit` in partnership commendation after they were reviews, ratings, history, complaints,
you all for your commitment and Pete at Outersight with the Devon Chamber judged for receiving consistently satisfaction, trust, cost and general
perseverance. • We have produced our own good customer feedback. excellence. Our consistent
• We have a new outside meeting
During this time of uncertainty, Millfields Trust Business Start-up The independent garage in George commitment to these values and
space for anybody to use
we, like most, have had to adjust guide for people wishing to start Place, Millbay, was established 40 high quality was acknowledged and
• We have financially supported
and adapt our working practices their own business years ago and was purchased by certified.”
tenants where possible
to ensure business continuity. Our • Ensured our buildings are Covid owner John Kiely in October 2010. Whites Autocentre is also holds
priorities being our community of • We will not be increasing our Secure, including our Conferencing The business has continued to the Swift Award, which recognise
Stonehouse, our tenants and many rents this financial year to continue facilities. offer friendly and exceptional UK businesses that deliver excellent
of our stakeholders. our financial support to tenants We have been working hard service, outstanding workmanship customer service. And it is a member
Throughout this time, we • We supported tenants who behind the scenes to ensure our and competitive labour rates under of the Good Garage Scheme, a
supported to our tenants and have chosen to reduce overheads business premises continue to John’s ownership. national network of independent
changed the way we do things and make the decision to work work for all of our tenants, and we He’s assembled a five-man team garages dedicated to raising
through the following actions: from home look forward to the days when our of highly skilled technicians, thee of standards in the car service and
• Regular contact from all staff • Our flexible office spaces have buildings are once again bustling whom are authorised MOT testers. repair market, ensuring consumers
members, ensuring tenants know enabled us to accommodate with activity. They all have a wealth of motor shop get a fair deal.
The live music scene with Chris Muirhead
Reconnecting with pre-Covid memories
Sneaking down into the muted be a challenge of vast proportions on these joyous gifts I simply
twilight of the submerged car - to look around the walls of your drift, ambling past The Plot, Union
park under the recently christened own house and realise what all of Corner and the crumbling austere
Barcode, I knife across the empty those other places really mean: beauty of The Dance Academy.
car shaped plots, white and yellow congregation. Unlike Millennium, the Palace
paint still lumpen underfoot – Emerging into the sunlight, and Theatre is of course shuttered,
submissive and longing for many leaving the chalk outlines of my locked away with her ghosts and
cars to press it down into the ghosts behind in the catacomb of her betrayals. I gaze back down the
tarmac. The dozing buzz of the the Barcode, I find myself drawn street towards the Twin Towers. I
fluorescents is unintrusive, almost back to Union Street. Here, new notice the sunshine cutting oblique
calming, however the whole space spaces are growing like Thê Depø - shadows everywhere and move off
has an air of expectation to it, like There’s a chance of live music again at the Millennium as part of Nudge’s plans our newest music venue debutante, to follow the railings that overlook
the pegged-out shape of a car park currently being fitted out by two of that Mondrian terraforming of the
in a field, ready for a wedding. Rabbit snarled, picking at its fur. in its passing into and then out of the city’s most successful promoters coast line that is the ferry port, and
This underground car park is Columns reaching from floor to being, rather than regret or sadness - its façade bulging front and centre peek into the surprised looking
public, you don’t need a permit or ceiling that keep the road sober of its eventual failure, like I had got by the dismantling of the overhead arch shaped windows of the old
a wedding invitation to enter, but are still here, the shape of the away with something mischievous; walkway and the Pavilions decline. cottages that line the street on the
it exists now within the framework space is still recognisable. But the world had let us do something Opposite is the Millennium way down to Royal William Yard.
of a formalised entity: the Barcode. the whole area is haunted by the wonderful, and it had allowed us to building, bold and sanguine, her Hutong pulls me towards her like
I don’t have any issue with that, I shapes of those things that were do it for some time. confidence still running over after a salacious promise, beginning to
love the sensory overload of Imax. here. I slow as I reach the middle A large proportion of us have years of disinterest, and recently salivate at the thought of her fruits
But my reconnecting with the of the lot, spinning round to chart been spending most of our time taken over by Nudge, who have I feel my point of view ascending as
space feels intimate, personal, and where the entrances and exits in one place this last year. We have proven themselves something of if it were a drone shot lifting slowly
like a sort of exhibitionism. are and orientating myself to the been familiarising ourselves with a zeitgeist within themselves: take away from my head towards the sky.
However, it wasn’t always so: this old location of the main doorway the insides of our houses in a way control of that which is derelict I watch myself cut the diameter of
used to be our space, we tracked to the White Rabbit. It feels like that we probably didn’t ever expect and turn it over to the mob. That the cobbled roundabout and realise
our way from various locales I am standing over a wellspring to. The huge amount we have spent trust has proved wise. The mob, it with a shock that it isn’t the ghosts of
around the city to this gloaming of memory; thoughts and micro on DIY and garden projects attests appears, likes to get busy crafting those I left behind that I am fleeing
beneath the road every week, movies and emotions froth around to how we feel about taking care of a space which reflects their from but merely past versions of
every day. This was where our in my hippocampus. I look to my that place and what it means when personality. myself. I find the door to Hutong
record store Last Shop Standing right and stare at the empty space it needs to fulfil more roles. It is our I marvel at this two-venue gateway open, and as I lightly touch the glass
was located, snoozing away like where Tom and I ran our record cinema and our office and our pub, to Union Street, it is something of I know it won’t be long before it is
a cat; this was where Tramps Cafe store - I try to picture it and am and enjoying that space matters. a revelation to me, Twin Towers of adorned with a poster advertising a
blinked and purred, and The White struck by a strange sense of pride For those of us living alone it must burgeoning possibilities. Slaked live show. I disappear inside.Page 12 The Stonehouse Voice How the Grand Theatre lived up to its name Local historian Richard Fisher traces the past of one of Union Street’s great buildings When Plymouth council ignored Union Street, with a sort of railway dressers, lighting, costumes, Henry Reed’s wishes to take over type glass canopy over the entrance scenery makers, actors, actresses, the city’s original Theatre Royal after surmounted with two large lamps. and of course the stars. There was a his father-in-law John Newcombe Although not as imposing lot to think about and plan running died, his revenge was swift. structurally as John Foulston’s a theatre that would put on two He bought three adjacent Theatre Royal with its enormous acts a day. properties in Union Street, columns, the Grand’s stage was Unfortunately, having the building Stonehouse, and built the Italianate far bigger; it was largest in the finished on time, and the performers Grand Theatre in just 16 weeks—and Westcountry, and the interior was completed rehearsals, Henry Reed opened it next door to the Royal. more modern. was anxiously waiting for the It couldn’t have been a better According to Harvey Crane’s County Council to issue a licence. place to build, as Union Street book, the theatre’s interior was That didn’t come until Christmas The retiring Henry Irving poses in one of his elegant costumes was the main thoroughfare from ‘bedecked with Utrecht Crimson Day, which meant that the first Devonport to The Theatre Royal. Velvet. Brightly painted, gold show, the pantomime Cinderella, The street was awash with pubs, gilt with plastered sculptures of had to be performed on Boxing Day. theatre where ladies appeared was purchased and enlarged, and and the passing trade of service voluptuous cupids and generously The opening night was a success. with the standard hat ribbons of the frontage redressed with fine personnel was local and worldwide. proportioned ladies’. It was a sell-out, and there was a the HMS Impregnable emblazoned Victorian tiles and renamed as The Flushed with pay after long service The theatre had three apartments waiting list. The show was a hit; it on their chests. With this sort of Grand Theatre Hotel, which served at sea, large groups went looking upstairs where the major stars and had 11 scenes with local interest interaction with the young service as an extra income to the Reeds for entertainment in what became the Reed family stayed. such as Mount Edgcumbe Park, an personnel and a marvellous start business empire. Henry’s wife Ann the ‘funfair’ of the three towns—a There was a vast saloon on the entire pack of hounds, Devonport and significant revenues in local was the proprietor, and this building real must for visitors but a no go for lower floors, ladies drawing-room, Market Place, and the Lucky papers, the Grand was indeed still survives in Union Street. others. Some referred to it as the and a smoking lounge for the ten Horseshoe. (Does anyone know upping the game with the Royal. But sadly, on May 13, 1898, Devil’s Mile. boxes’ occupants, adorned with the Lucky Horseshoe? Some say it It wasn’t just pantomime that Henry’s son John died at Emma Around Easter in 1889, architect plush grandeur. It had all the usual was the Admiral’s Hard?). was a hit in this beautiful theatre, Place. He was well-liked by local Henry J Snell of Stonehouse, features, the pit, amphitheatre, stalls, At the end of the show, there but original dramas. The first of people and sadly missed by his renowned for designing schools in and dress circle, all comfortably was ‘salvos’ of applause for the these was A Noble Brother, and family, especially his father, who felt the area, was commissioned, drew seated 1,300, top-notch and proprietor Henry and family when later performances mixed with his world had ended because he up the plans, and made ready for spacious dressing rooms. they rose from their box and famous top visiting companies and wanted his son to follow him and tenders from builders. Some dozen This perfect setting was the height presented the builder Sam Roberts troupes, like D’Oyly Carte Company, control the theatre. A little more applied, but as usual, the cheapest of theatre style, very fashionable with a gold fob watch. The Neilson Opera Company, and than a week later, on Saturday, May won, and that was Samuel Roberts with opulent surroundings that Inspired by this project, Sam of course the stars of the day. 21, the theatre passed from the and Son of Devonport. must have given the visitor a most Roberts built his theatre, the Some would have been familiar to Reed family. The cost agreed was £6,500.00, magical air of glamour, presence, Empire in Devonport, in 1893/4, us The Gondoliers, The Geisha, The Another theatre opened in Union but a penalty clause in the contract and expectation. which his son designed. It was Shop Girl, and of course Hamlet, Street at this time. It was almost had severe consequences if the Even coming into the theatre a small success, firstly showing but the Grand was also renowned twice the height as the Grand, build got delayed because Henry was an occasion as the doorman Shakespearian plays which soon for the stars of the time like Marie dressed in terracotta tiles with art Reed wanted the theatre to open met you then directed, if needed, changed hands and names from Studholme, Millie Hylton, George nouveau style nymphs and painted for the Christmas season. The motto to the cloakroom for the deposit Palladium c1912, Metropole c1914 Grosssmith. tiles of the Armada’s defeat, along of the Reed family was ‘deeds, not of hats and coats etc., collect and and finally the Alhambra. It had been nine years, and all was with two giant statues of Drake. It words’. pay for tickets and then ushered Back at the Grand, the boys of the going well for the theatre and the had a seating capacity twice the Sam and his men ran two shifts of to your seats or the saloon if HMS Impregnable and HMS Lion Reed family. size of the Grand and an adjoining nine hours to complete the build, you were earlier enough. This (training ships for young cadets) In November 1896, the Grand hotel, the Great Western, fitted with which was just for the building’s shell army of conscious staff (often on one of the last Cinderella presented a cinematograph film to the latest innovations. and not all the gas works, sculptured vetted) dressed in fine matching performances at the theatre arrived an audience just before a drama. It was one of the first Music Halls plastering, upholstery, and uniforms were all part of the Grand with their bands in tow. In return, These early films only lasted a and became popular. Unusually, fittings; these being made in other experience. they invited the whole theatre minute or so, and many wanted the New Palace’s proprietor Alfred establishments and ready to fit as Then there were the musicians, company to the Impregnable. On to see this new phenomenon. Moul also took on the Grand and a soon as the building was complete. stage staff, maintenance crew, that evening, they returned to the Invented by the Lumière brothers, week after the New Palace opened, Work began mid-July 1889 and movies were causing a sensation, and staged The Circus Girl at the at speed. While digging a trench stunning and even scaring Grand, followed by the panto Ali to install theatre apparatus under Stars of the show—the Reid family audiences. Union Street was Baba for the winter season. the stage, someone removed a renowned for trying anything new, This event was probably large boulder only to uncover a from gas lighting to trams. because the New Palace theatre freshwater spring that gushed out Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee had suffered a severe fire, which water into the surrounding area. film may have also shown here in almost destroyed the building on It cost a fortune to plug the water the following year (a copy is on December 23, 1898, during the using a hydraulic gas engine. YouTube). winter season, only months after This event didn’t halt the build, It’s thought that during this time, being it being built and wasn’t and it was on target; the building the Reed Family purchased The back in operation until May the was up within sixteen weeks, and Foresters Arms public house next following year. Strangely, Frank most of the décor was in situ. The door (est. 1847, hence date above Reed, thought to be Henry’s Italian style façade of the theatre the door) as it was making a roaring brother, was the Musical Director at building stretched 85 feet along trade from the theatre’s presence. It this theatre.
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