The Plymouth Herald

£1m building on sale as care home closes

A HISTORIC Plymouth building last used as an old people’s home has been put up for sale at nearly £1m. The Retreat Care Home, in Hooe, closed at the end of September with new homes having to be found for about 20 people living there. Two months later...

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Digital records for patients rolled out

A FULLY digital patient record system is being rolled out in Plymouth, which is expected to transform the way the health service is delivered, how it operates and how patients get their information. University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust is...

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Plymouth will become a ‘great European city’

PLYMOUTH has the potential to be the best coastal city in Europe according to the team behind a plan to transform the city centre. One of the world’s top professional services firms WSP is leading the masterplanning team, which is combining global and...

Lydia shares love of antiques on TV

A PLYMOUTH woman is starring in a national TV series showcasing Devon and its antiques. Lydia Wood, who runs In a Nutshell Antiques and Interiors, in Ashburton, is one of several Devon experts and dealers featured in the primetime More 4 programme The...

Rail route restored after bridge work

TRAINS are once again running between Plymouth and Totnes after Network Rail completed an extensive upgrade of a bridge over the River Plym. Passengers going to Plymouth and beyond had to be taken by replacement bus service after it was realised that...

Photographer snaps rare ‘white’ robin

ROBINS are famous for their instantly recognisable red breast, but a photographer and bird-watcher has captured something particularly rare in a wooded area on the edge of Dartmoor – a completely white robin. The bird is known as a leucistic robin and...

Family leave Dubai on ‘miracle flight’

A WOMAN with stage three cancer has managed to make a vital hospital appointment after she and her family were stranded in Dubai, where they had been on holiday. Lindsay Stone, 47, from Plymouth, had been due to fly home last Sunday to start...

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Landing stage work to News support fishing fleet

PLYMOUTH’S Barbican Landing Stage is to be given a £250,000 extension so the city’s fishing fleet has somewhere to go when locked out of Sutton Harbour. Cattewater Harbour Commissioners (CHC) said work will start soon to extend the Barbican Landing...

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Parking charges may rise to fund shortfall

COUNCIL chiefs are to consider changes to the city’s parking fees and arrangements in an effort to help meet what has been described as ‘significant budget challenges’ while continuing to deliver service improvements. The proposals, which will be...

Strictly star bringing his new show

IT’S going to be fab-u-lous! Strictly Come Dancing’s “Mr Nasty” Craig Revel Horwood is hot-footing it to Plymouth and he’s going to sing. The 61-year-old hoofer will bring his one-man show to Plymouth’s Quad Theatre, at the Plymouth Marjon University...

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FEATURES & FOOD

VICTIMS VINDICATED BY SOLICITOR’S SENTENCING, AFTER YEARS CAMPAIGNING TO BRING HIM TO JUSTICE

Former criminal defence solicitor Alan Harris arriving at Winchester Crown Court this week, where he was sentenced to 13 years in jail for the indecent and sexual assault of former clients – some who had fought for years to bring their plight into the...

SOLICITOR WHO ABUSED CLIENTS JAILED FOR 13 YEARS

Alan Harris arriving at Winchester Crown Court, where he was sentenced for 10 charges against his former clients

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Concerns over pet crematorium bid

NOISE and odour concerns have been raised over plans for a pet crematorium near Millbay Docks which has been recommended for approval by planning officers. The application, which will be discussed by Plymouth City Council’s planning committee this...

Campaign to tackle risk of strokes

People in Plymouth are being urged to prioritise their heart health by getting a free blood pressure test when they shop. Tesco have partnered with the British Heart Foundation (BHF) to encourage people to take a moment for their wellbeing this Heart...

Waterfront fashions are setting the style

AS London Fashion Week this week showcases the latest from British and international designers, for those of us in Plymouth there’s a hidden gem of curated collections, independent talent and sartorial style just waiting to be discovered at the Royal...

City given £7.3m for huge tree planting programme

AN organisation which has been planting trees across Plymouth is to receive £7.3m of Government cash to continue its work. Since being set up in 2020, the Plymouth and South Devon Community Forest has helped plant about 59,000 trees in Plymouth and...

Shock as tourist ship is closed

The Golden Hind pirate ship in Brixham has closed with immediate effect, as of last weekend. The surprise announcement was made on social media, and shocked locals say they are ‘very sad’ to hear the news. The ship is a replica of the vessel Sir...

City charity holding half-term sale

A PLYMOUTH charity, which is this year marking 35 years of vital aid, is holding a half-term sale in Plymstock this week, having recently donated thousands of pounds to help others. The Rainbow Project Plymouth originally stood for ‘Romanians Are In...

Waterfront offers perfect spot for St Valentine’s Day

PLYMOUTH’S historic waterfront destination, Royal William Yard, is setting the stage for romance this Valentine’s Day with an array of experiences that span traditional dining, thoughtful gifting and unique adventures. From conventional wining and...

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SCHOOL ‘SORRY’ FOR ‘FAILINGS’ AFTER TEACHER CONVICTED

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Chance to have your say in council moves

PEOPLE are being urged to have their say on the biggest shake up in local government in Devon in the last 50 years. The government has launched a consultation on five proposals which have been submitted in response to its call for clearer, more...

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Live events bring city’s ‘amphitheatre’ to life

A PROGRAMME of live events will launch at Plymouth’s new ‘amphitheatre’ this spring, bringing “festival-style” music, theatre and emerging artists to the city centre. From April to September, Live at the Amphitheatre will host a music event on the...

My Bunny Valentine! x

A LONELY rabbit which lost its sight and home in a devastating fire has found love just in time for Valentine’s Day at a Plymouth animal shelter. Lop rabbit Hope thought she might never find some-bunny to love after being rescued by Woodside Animal...

Storm ‘washes away’ section of coast road

A 200-metre section of a coastal road in a south coast beauty spot has washed away after being hit by storms. Part of the A379 connecting Devon villages Torcross and Slapton broke apart overnight after sea defences were destroyed in last month’s...

CASH MACHINE STOLEN IN RAM RAID

Campervan blaze

A CAMPERVAN has been utterly destroyed by a fire in Mount Gould. Firefighters were called to the scene in Ladysmith Drive where the flaming vehicle was stationary on a driveway. Two fire engines from Greenbank fire station rushed to the scene at...

No lower speed limit, but cameras to come

PLANS to slash the speed limit on a major road into Plymouth have been scrapped after a backlash – but new speed cameras will be installed. Plymouth City Council has decided not to cut the speed limit to 30mph on a stretch of the A374 Embankment Road...

MISCONDUCT RAP FOR POLICE OVER ‘FAILINGS’ BEFORE CLAIRE’S MURDER

THE £7.5m upgrade of Royal Parade is expected to finish ahead of schedule – but there will be road closures first. Plymouth City Council had pencilled in April as the completion date to allow for any unforeseen issues, but the scheme’s smooth progress...

Homegrown comedians bring shows back to city

TWO of Plymouth’s fast-rising comedy stars are to shine at gigs in their home city – starting tonight. Award-winning David Arnold may be a Welshman, but Plymouth is where he lives and he’s bringing the laughs home after touring internationally and...

Social club could become new Co-op

PLANS have been submitted to turn a closed down historic social club in the St Judes area of Plymouth into a new Co-op convenience store and three flats. The Saltram Club in Salisbury Road, which had staff accommodation above, closed to members in May...

BODY FOUND IN MARINA

A HEARTBROKEN family has confirmed “the most horrendous news” after being told a body has been found in the search for their missing loved-one. A murder investigation has been launched after a body believed to be missing 24-year-old Drew Perham was...

SURLY... NOT AGAIN!

TRAIN services to and from Plymouth were seriously disrupted over the weekend after part of the sea wall at Dawlish crumbled – yet again – after Storm Ingrid battered the coastline. One section was reduced to rubble right beside the train track after...

How the sea heals our minds

ENGAGEMENT with the ocean can make a big difference to people’s overall wellbeing, a new report by the trust which runs the National Marine Aquarium, has concluded. The Ocean Conservation Trust (OCT) this week released the interim findings of a major...

Harry Potter and the prize draw of books

HARRY Potter fans could be in with a chance of winning a full set of the novels signed by 12 stars of the film adaptations in a charity prize draw. The set of seven books has been signed by some of the franchise’s biggest names, including Rupert...

CITY MP LEADING CHARGE ON UNDER-16S SOCIAL MEDIA BAN

Fred Thomas, MP for Plymouth Moor View, is the organiser of a letter to Prime Minister Keir Starmer urging a ban on social media for under-16s, which has been co-signed by 61 Labour MPs

EVACUATIONS AS BOMB IS MOVED

An SC50 German WW2 device is taken from Kings Point Marina and out to sea by Royal Navy experts after being moved from Millbay – with hundreds of residents having to be evacuated 18+ only. Terms and conditions apply

GERMAN WORLD WAR TWO BOMB REVEALED

A GERMAN WWII bomb found in Millbay is responsible for the evacuation of a school, hotel, shops and residential properties over the past two days. The device was found at a building site in Martin Street on Wednesday, January 14. Photos reveal the...

SCHOOL CLOSED AS ‘BOMB’ FOUND IN CITY CENTRE

A SCHOOL was evacuated yesterday after a suspected ordnance was found at a nearby building site. Pupils from Millbay Academy in Plymouth were moved after a 100m (328ft) cordon was set up by Devon and Cornwall Police, after the force was called out to...

OUR BID TO BE CITY OF CULTURE 2029

PLYMOUTH is to bid for the title of UK City of Culture 2029, with a chance to land £10m to fund a year of events. Bid leaders say it is a great opportunity to showcase the city and its people with a year-long celebration of the arts, heritage, sport...

17 TREES DOWN AS CITY HIT BY STORM

SEVENTEEN trees were brought crashing down in several Plymouth streets, narrowly missing parked cars, as Storm Goretti battered the city overnight on Thursday and into the early hours of yesterday. Plymouth City Council say crews were out throughout...

WARNINGS AS NEW STORM TO BATTER REGION

A NEW storm which is expected to bring winds of up to 70mph to the South West from Thursday afternoon has prompted the Met Office to issue a 'danger to life' warning. Storm Goretti is expected to bring strong winds to the region from 3pm Thursday,...

PARENTS’ FURY AS PUPILS ‘FREEZE’

PARENTS are angry after the heating system broke down at a Plymouth primary school, leaving their children “freezing” – and they weren’t informed. Mums, dads and carers reacted angrily on social media after learning their children were sitting in...

BLACK ICE SEES CITY ROADS CLOSED

BLACK ice saw a number of roads closed in Plymouth yesterday, with temperatures across the region dropping to minus four degrees in some places and snow on higher ground. Steep roads in Eggbuckland including Reddington Road, Hollycroft Road,...

ARGYLE OFF TO WINNING START IN 2026 BY BEATING BURTON

Lorent Tolaj scored from the penalty spot as Argyle got 2026 off to a winning start with goals also coming from defenders Mathias Ross, below, and Brendan Galloway

LUCKY ESCAPE AS FOUR-VEHICLE CRASH SEES ONLY MINOR INJURY

ONE person was injured after four vehicles crashed in Plymouth. Millbay Road was blocked by the collision, at around 1.05pm yesterday. A spokesperson for Devon and Cornwall Police said: “Officers were called at 1.05pm today, January 2 following a...

ARGYLE’S ‘MR RELIABLE’ SECURES AWAY-DAY POINT AT STEVENAGE

MALACHI Boateng scored a second half equaliser for Plymouth Argyle as they came from behind to draw 1-1 in their New Year’s Day fixture at Stevenage. It ended a run of four successive away wins in all competitions for the Pilgrims but they would have...

A HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL OUR READERS...

CITY IS UK’S TOP HOUSING HOTSPOT

PLYMOUTH has been identified as one of Britain’s “housing hotspots” of 2025. The port city recorded the steepest rise in the value of homes during the last year in the locations analysed by Lloyds, with property values rising by 12.6% on average...

‘THERE AIN’T NOTHIN’ LIKE A DAME!’

PROUD Plymouth residents and workers are among those being recognised by His Majesty The King in his 2026 New Year’s Honours. Among them are Professor Sonia Blandford, Professor of Social Mobility at Plymouth Marjon University, for her services to...

PROBE LAUNCHED INTO PARK FLOODING

AN investigation has started to find the cause of flooding at the site of the ongoing £4m upgrade of Plymouth’s Central Park ponds. During heavy rain earlier this month, the ponds burst their banks and water flooded the surrounding area. The water has...

TRASHED CITY STORE IS A ‘DEATH TRAP’

PLYMOUTH’S derelict formerDebenhams department store has become a potential death trap for teenagers and urban explorers who have been breaking into the building. Police, fire crews and Parc Rangers have been inside the building and seen the widescale...

THE BOX AIMING TO BUILD ON AMAZING YEAR

THIS year has been described as “phenomenal” for The Box in Plymouth as it celebrated its first five years and one millionth visitor. The Plymouth City Councilowned art gallery and museum, which opened its door during the Covid pandemic, is said to...

BOY, 14, IS STABBED ‘MULTIPLE TIMES’

AN attacker was yesterday on the run after a 14-year-old boy was stabbed multiple times in Plymouth city centre. Police said officers were called to Notte Street and Athenaeum Street at 6.50pm on Monday. The boy suffered multiple stab wounds and was...

COUNCIL ELECTIONS WILL GO AHEAD IN 2026

PLYMOUTH City Council elections WILL take place in 2026, it has been confirmed. The authority yesterday said the electorate will be going to the polls in May next year, despite the Government controversially saying some councils could postpone...

DRIVEN ON TO THE STREETS

CONSULTANTS TO GET ALMOST £1M FOR NEW HOMES PLAN

PLYMOUTH City Council is to pay city centre masterplanners nearly £1 million in what has been recognised as a “financial risk” for the authority. Council chiefs this month appointed “global placemaking experts” WSP to come up with a plan on how...

‘I’M RARING TO GET BACK’ – TUDOR

RESIDENTS SEE RED AS POST UP TO TEN DAYS LATE

RESIDENTS are seeing red over the delivery of letters by the Royal Mail, with some telling The Herald that cards have taken up to 10 days to arrive. Three residents have separately shared their stories of cards not arriving, and said they believed the...

OFFICIAL PLEA TO GET YOUR FLU JAB

Flu hospitalisations in the region have surged by three quarters (76%) in just one week, as Health and Social Care Secretary Wes Streeting says he is ‘extremely worried’ about the ‘double whammy’ of rising numbers of flu patients in hospitals and...

MAN MURDERED PARTNER AND HID HER BODY FOR 10 DAYS

A GRANDMOTHER was brutally murdered by her partner who tried to make her death look like an accident. Lisa Paris’s lifeless body was hidden away in the flat of Mark Fitzgerald for 10 days. The drunken thug finally raised the alarm because he did not...

SHOPLIFT AND YOU WILL BE CAUGHT

PLYMOUTH shoplifters are being warned they will be caught and convicted as a new crime-busting initiative is rolled out across the city. The Plymouth Against Retail Crime (Parc) scheme has been a crime-fighting success in the city centre for the past...