Photographs of Plymouth at night.

These very evocative photographs were taken by professional photographer and Plymouth Buzz Director Ossie Glover

Ossie is also well known for his work with Fata He working for good, solid race relations in Plymouth

Should you need a world class photographer call Plymouth Buzz and we’ll send you to Ossie

Call Plymouth Buzz (07538) 199694

Plan to turn Plymouth City Centre bank site into flats for students

Aspire Student Living Ltd has submitted a planning application for the scheme on the site of the former Halifax bank in Mayflower Street and on the corner of  Armada Way.  Sainsbury’s must be massaging their bank accounts….

Bring it on… Fill the City Centre with students and help stop the homeless situation. Breathe some life into the City Centre

Brilliant!

Comments? 

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The sound of vuvuzelas created a party atmosphere in the crowd as hundreds of public service workers wheeled around Plymouth city centre.

But amid the upbeat atmosphere was a serious intent, the city’s part in a national protest against proposed changes to public sector pensions.

“Last weekend I worked out that the combined effect of the government’s changes will reduce the value of my pension by 60%,” said Plymouth teacher and father of three, Duncan Osbourne, 48.

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Goosewell students get lanterns ready for Christmas Carnival

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HAVE YOURSELF A SAFE AND MERRY CHRISTMAS

‘Tis the season to be jolly but make sure your festive plans don’t go up in smoke this year and pop in to the Community Focus Day in Plymouth city centre.

Dodgy Christmas lights, thieves targeting carefully bought presents or a stray flame from a candle could ruin your festive cheer. On Thursday 1 December people can get important advice on making sure their Christmas is a happy one.

Plymouth City Council’s Trading Standards, the Community Safety Partnership, Devon and Cornwall Police, Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service, South Western Ambulance and Social Action Plymouth are teaming up to offer advice and information on things like personal safety, crime prevention and fire safety.

Police, fire and ambulance vehicles will be on display at the Community Focus Day which will be based next to the Drake Circus shopping mall in Cornwall Street from 8am until 8pm.

Councillor Glenn Jordan, Cabinet member for Community Services (Safer and Stronger Communities and Culture, Sport and Leisure) said: “Everyone wants to have a happy and fun time at Christmas but sometimes the unexpected can ruin our festive holidays. This Community Focus Day highlights ways to make sure you stay safe at home and out and about and ways to help you prevent becoming a victim of crime.”

Paul Cleeland-Smith, Operational Manager for the South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust, based in Plymouth, said: “The Community Focus Day will be a great opportunity for members of the public to come along and receive free advice and information about staying safe and healthy during the festive season.

Christmas can be a stressful time of year and with that in mind members of the ambulance service will be offering free blood pressure checks to visitors attending the event. As well as the blood pressure check we will be on hand to offer a range of advice on staying healthy this winter.”

Inspector Russell Sharpe, Devon and Cornwall Police added: ”I have been involved in policing Plymouth City Centre for the last 10 years. During that time we have seen large drops in crime across many crime types. This is not just down to the police but has been achieved by many different agencies working in partnership to make the city centre a safe place where people can come and enjoy themselves.  The purpose of this focus day is to remind people that the city centre is a safe place but that to keep it that way members of the public need to do their bit.”

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X Factor Finalist tops Christmas Carnival line up

One of the girls tipped for stardom by judge Kelly Rowland, 19yr old Sophie who worked as a barmaid in London before hitting the big time on the X Factor, has one of the best voices to feature in this year’s competition. As part of the city’s Christmas Carnival on Thursday, 01 December, Plymouth will be able to hear super Sophie sing for free as we continue the countdown to Christmas!

Sponsored by Radio Plymouth and City College Plymouth, the Winter Festival brings together a wide range of festive fun and frolics to make sure this Christmas really is one to remember.

Plymouth’s Christmas Carnival – one of the highlights of the Winter Festival – takes place On Thursday 1^st December and is set to add a generous helping of festive cheer to one and all!

Now in its fourth year, the Christmas Carnival is bigger than ever, with a packed programme of free entertainment throughout the afternoon and into the evening, designed to add a little bit of magic to late night shopping.

Christmas Carnival festivities start at 4pm on the Radio Plymouth stage in Frankfort Gate, which will host a wide range of family entertainment with a great mix of Christmas music and dance, including some top local and national acts with Sophie Habibis performing at around 7.30pm.

There will be a variety of different street entertainment and fun throughout the city centre as well as the chance to meet some real reindeer, who will be paying us a very special visit from 4pm-8pm, go and say hello to these magical, beautiful creatures at their special enclosure at the bottom of Cornwall Street.
The twinkling twilight lantern parade that has become the highlight of the Christmas Carnival begins at 6.30pm, where 200 school children will parade their handmade lanterns throughout the city centre. Led by traditional nativity themed characters including Donkeys and Shetland Ponies from Pennywell Farm and accompanied by street performers and Samba bands, the twinkling twilight lantern parade is the perfect finale to an evening of magical winter entertainment.

Councillor Vivien Pengelly, Leader of Plymouth City Council, said: “This year’s Christmas Carnival is going to be one of our best yet. The fantastic array of entertainment from Shetland Ponies and real reindeer to street performers and a lantern parade will turn the West End of the city into a festive wonderland.

“The announcement that Sophie Habibis will be joining us is welcome news, giving Plymouth the ultimate X Factor. Come and join the fun!”
Clint Jones, Plymouth City Centre Manager said: “I’m delighted that we have been able to bring Sophie Habibis to Plymouth to perform at our ever popular Christmas Carnival. I am a huge fan of the X Factor and in Sophie we have one of the most talented of the 2011 finalists.

“The Christmas Carnival is an event for all the family and I am sure that the addition of Sophie Habibis to the already fantastic line up of entertainment will add a little extra Christmas magic to proceedings.

“This year’s Winter Festival line up is by far the best in the South West. As a city Plymouth is raising its game and I am confident that our fantastic retail offer alongside the great range of festive entertainment and events – many of which are free to enjoy – will attract thousands of visitors to Plymouth this Christmas.
For information on all the events and activities that form past of this year’s Winter festival please visit www.shopplymouth.co.uk become a fan on Facebook www.facebook.com/PlymouthWinterFestival or follow us on Twitter @PlymWinterFest

Forthcoming Winter Festival Events:

November

24^th            Late Night Shopping and street entertainment, Plymouth City Centre

26^th             Flameworks’ ART2GO Christmas Craft Fair opens at Royal William Yard and runs until 10^th December.

December

1^st            Christmas Carnival in Plymouth City Centre featuring X Factor finalist Sophie Habibis, live reindeer, Samba Bands and a twinkling twilight lantern parade. Activity starts from 4pm

Late Night shopping and street entertainment

3^rd-4^th            Christmas fun on the Barbican

3^rd            Royal Marine Band Christmas Spectacular, Plymouth Pavilions

4^th             Christmas Fun Run through Plymouth City Centre

8^th             Late Night shopping and street entertainment

14^th             QuoFestive – a special festive show from legendary rockers Status Quo, featuring Roy Wood and Kim Wilde, Plymouth Pavilions

15^th             Late Night shopping and street entertainment

16^th             Cinderella in Panto at the Theatre Royal opens and runs until 21^st Jan 2012

22^nd            Late Night shopping and street entertainment

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CHRISTMAS SHOPPING MADE EASY WITH LATE-NIGHT PARK AND RIDE

Take the hassle out of Christmas shopping in Plymouth this year and hop aboard the park and ride.

The countdown to the festive season starts this Thursday with the switch-on of the city’s Christmas lights and First Devon and Cornwall will be running extra park and ride services every week for late night shoppers.

Frequent buses will be running from all three park and ride sites every Thursday until 22 December.

Service PR1 from The George and Milehouse will run every 20 minutes and the last bus from Royal Parade will leave at 9.05pm.

Service PR2 from Coypool will also run every 20 minutes and the last bus from Royal Parade will leave at 9.07pm.

The return fare from The George is £2.45, from Coypool £2.05 and from Milehouse £1.75. Family tickets are also available for just £4.70 from the George, £4.30 from Coypool and £3.90 from Milehouse, giving up to two adults and three children return travel into the city centre.

Councillor Kevin Wigens, Cabinet Member for Transport, said: “The park and ride service takes all the stress out of Christmas shopping – less time queuing for parking spaces means more time to browse for those perfect gifts. The buses are fast and frequent and serve the whole city centre, so whether you’re shopping at Drake Circus or the West End there’s a convenient stop for you.”

Further information is available on our park and ride page. For timetable information on all local bus services call Traveline on 0871 200 22 33.

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START OF PLYMOUTH WINTER FESTIVAL MARKS COUNT DOWN TO CHRISTMAS

Plymouth’s Winter Festival is back this week (Thursday 17 November) bringing together a wide range of festive fun and frolics to make sure this Christmas really is one to remember.

The Winter Festival, sponsored by City College Plymouth and Radio Plymouth, was created by Plymouth City Centre Company to encourage people from across the region to celebrate Christmas in the city. Now in its second year, the Festival brings together a wide range of events and activities, placing Plymouth as the region’s top destination for retail and leisure this Christmas.

The Winter Festival opens with the Christmas Lights switch-on (Thursday 17 Nov) starring inspirational Plymouth Marine Mark Ormrod, Britain’s Got Talent stars Michael Collings and Ronan Parke and Hannah Nicholas, star of Cinderella at the Theatre Royal. There will be a whole stocking full of fun and entertainment starting on the Heart FM stage at the top of Cornwall Street from 4pm.

To add to the celebrations on Thursday 17 November, the Christmas Market opens on Armada Way, offering a whole range of delightful gifts and treats and the Ice Rink on the Piazza – part of the new Winter Wonderland attraction – will reveal its new festive look! The Winter Wonderland is a major feature of the Winter Festival and alongside the ever popular ice rink includes a grotto where little ones can meet Santa, take tea with him and even get an early Christmas gift!

The Winter Festival fun keeps on coming throughout November and into December with the Christmas Carnival (01 December), late night shopping every Thursday (until 22 Dec), festive street entertainment, a visit from the iconic Coca-Cola Christmas truck (20 Nov), Cinderella in Pantomime at the Theatre Royal (16 Dec – 21 Jan), festive shows at the Pavilions, Christmas Craft Markets at Royal William Yard (26 Nov – 10 Dec), festive fun and games in the Barbican (03 and 04 December), and a very special Santa fun run (04 December).

Councillor Vivien Pengelly, Leader of Plymouth City Council, said: “What a year this has been for Plymouth! I can think of no better way to round it off than with the best Christmas shopping, events and entertainment offer in the South West.

“Plymouth is wonderful all year round, but it holds a special magic over the festive season so I am delighted to see so much on offer for residents and visitors this Christmas. Plus, with works on Gdynia Way now complete and the newly renovated Western Approach shoppers’ car park, where you can park all day for £5, it is easier than ever to get in and park.

“I hope people from all across the region come and visit us in Plymouth and experience all that we have to offer.”

Clint Jones, Plymouth City Centre Manager said: “This year’s Winter Festival line up is by far the best in the South West. As a city Plymouth is raising its game and I am confident that our fantastic retail offer alongside the great range of festive entertainment and events – many of which are free to enjoy – will attract thousands of visitors to Plymouth this Christmas.

“It has been another tough year for retailers, with economic pressures hitting businesses and shoppers alike. We are committed to supporting the city’s retailers and are pulling out all the stops this Christmas, at what is a key trading time for everyone.”

For information on all the events and activities that form past of this year’s Winter festival please visit www.shopplymouth.co.uk become a fan on Facebook www.facebook.com/PlymouthWinterFestival or follow us on Twitter @PlymWinterFest

Forthcoming Winter Festival Events:

November

17th Start of Winter Festival – Plymouth City Centre
Christmas Lights Switch On featuring Mark Ormrod, Michael Collings, Ronan Parke and Hannah Nicholas.
Winter Wonderland on the Piazza opens
Christmas Market on Armada Way opens
Late Night Shopping and street entertainment

20th Coca-Cola Christmas Tour – the iconic Coca-Cola truck visits Plymouth Piazza from 4-8pm

24th Late Night Shopping and street entertainment, Plymouth City Centre

26th Flameworks’ ART2GO Christmas Craft Fair opens at Royal William Yard and runs until 10th December.

December

1st Christmas Carnival in Plymouth City Centre featuring live reindeer, Samba Bands and a twinkling twilight lantern parade. Activity starts from 4pm
Late Night shopping and street entertainment

3rd-4th Christmas fun on the Barbican

3rd Royal Marine Band Christmas Spectacular, Plymouth Pavilions

4th Christmas Fun Run through Plymouth City Centre

8th Late Night shopping and street entertainment

14th QuoFestive – a special festive show from legendary rockers Status Quo, featuring Roy Wood and Kim Wilde, Plymouth Pavilions

15th Late Night shopping and street entertainment

16th Cinderella in Panto at the Theatre Royal opens and runs until 21st Jan 2012

22nd Late Night shopping and street entertainment

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HUNDREDS of protestors plan to set up a tent city occupying the centre of Plymouth from this weekend.

The Occupy Plymouth movement has politely  informed  police that they will be setting up a protest site from noon in the Jigsaw Garden in Plymouth City Centre. Our local police follow the Facebook group and we encourage that. Our Police are not the issue with the way things are in the world

This Buzzer can tell you that the Jigsaw Garden was chosen as it would be the least disruptive place in Plymouth City Centre and one of the Occupy Plymouth organisers has met with the Voodoo Lounge who will allow toilet facilities.

Plymouth police have not be “warned” they have been advised and Occupy Plymouth are very well aware that members of our police force are just as frustrated with the “status quo”

Occupy Plymouth will be a very peaceful protest

Facebook Page www.facebook.com/occupyplymouth

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