Devils Point parking concerns; is a new supermarket heading to the area; the story of Brunel's bridge; and a community choir

It's The Beagle - just the interesting stuff you'd like to know around Plymouth Hoe, the Barbican, Stonehouse and the city's waterside communities. And all without annoying pop-ups!

Devils Point car park is resurfaced - but some people aren’t happy

The car park at Devils Point has a bright new look, with a comprehensive resurfacing project delivering a clearer, brighter layout for motorists visiting the scenic waterfront.

The newly configured public section, which remains free for up to three hours, promises a smoother experience for locals and visitors heading to Firestone Bay and the historic Royal William Yard.

Plymouth City Council has overseen the refresh of the southern public section, which boasts 39 spaces, including five dedicated disabled bays. A ticketless ANPR has been introduced.

However, the changes are not universally popular. The whole car park was previously free for three hours but it has now been reconfigured to operate as two distinct areas - with the northern part of the land being incorporated into Royal William Yard’s parking facilities, with charges now introduced and management overseen by SIP Car Parks.

This has led to claims that nearly 40 per cent of the car parking space has been turned over to the RWY.

Yard developer Urban Splash said the changes to Devil’s Point car parking facilities were part of a longstanding plan for the area, which was granted planning consent by Plymouth City Council in 2017.

New supermarket is coming to Notte Street

Have you seen - a new handy local supermarket is coming soon to Notte Street.

Hoardings have gone up advertising the new Costcutter shop is under development at Saltwater Place.

The Beagle peered through the windows - and can report the opening is not imminent!

But we will watch for signs of shopfitters, snacks and sweets arriving, and keep you posted.

Coffee with cops

Next Wednesday 29th October the City Centre and the Waterfront police team will be holding a “Coffee with Cops” event at Plymouth Central Library.

Officers will be available to discuss any concerns that you may have in your local area.

Check in between 1100-1200 hrs

Spanning the divide

The story of how Brunel overcame in-fighting and controversy to the bring the railway to Plymouth and build the Royal Albert Bridge is being discussed in a talk by Owen Ryles, Chief Executive of the Plymouth Athenaeum

Find out more about how the heated rivalry between Plymouth and Devonport delayed the railway’s arrival into the Three Towns, petitions to Parliament and Brunel’s thwarted plans for a train ferry at Torpoint.

The talk looks at the cost-cutting measures that altered Brunel’s plans for the Royal Albert Bridge, and the wild rumours that surrounded his failure to attend the opening ceremony in May 1859.

The talk is part of Railway 200, a year-long nationwide partnership-led campaign to celebrate 200 years of the modern railway and inspire a new generation of young pioneering talent to choose a career in rail.

Tuesday, October 28, 1230 at Plymouth Athaneum

Details and tickets by clicking here

Plymouth Hoe rapist jailed for 26 years

A Plymouth man has been sentenced to 26 years in prison for a prolific series of sexual assaults and rapes, one of which took place in the back of his van while parked at Plymouth Hoe, writes GMP.

Ricky Stubberfield (pictured) messaged women and young girls on popular social media site Instagram, offering them free teeth whitening in exchange for promoting his co-owned business, Essex Smiles, based in Mutley Plain. However, the offer was a ruse, with several of the women who attended the premises on the basis of his offer being sexually assaulted.

Stubberfield had come to the attention of Devon and Cornwall Police in 2022, when a 16 year old girl reported she had been assaulted on two separate occasions by the man, including in the back of his van on the Hoe. On the second occasion she was able to secure a video recording, which she passed to police.

Tributes to former MP

The former Plymouth Sutton and Devonport Conservative MP Oliver Colvile has died aged 64. Mr Colvile represented Plymouth from 2010 to 2017.

His death was announced in the House of Commons, with shadow health secretary Stuart Andrew leading the tributes, describing Mr Colvile as “a true gentleman, whose eccentricities always endeared him to many”.

During his time in Parliament, Oliver Colvile sat on the Northern Ireland Affairs Select Committee, and was also appointed as a Parliamentary Private Secretary to both the Secretary of State for Defence and for Northern Ireland.

The BBC reported that Mr Colvile was known for his advocacy for hedgehogs and said in 2015 he called for the animals to become a national symbol of the UK.

New Catholic bishop for Plymouth

Bishop Nicholas Hudson is to be the new Catholic Bishop of Plymouth.

The Tablet revealed the appointment of Hudson, who is 66 and a popular Westminster auxiliary.

The news ends the Devon, Dorset and Cornwall diocese’s three-year wait for a new bishop.

Rare visitor surfaces in the Sound

Spotted at the Breakwater on Tuesday this week, a Portuguese submarine NRP Tridente - apparently for a passenger transfer. Hat tip to @RFANostalgia on X

Tridente (photo at the top of this newsletter) departed from the Lisbon Naval Base, in Alfeite, a week earlier to participate in NATO’s Operation Brilliant Shield, taking place in the North Atlantic and the Baltic Sea. The Tridente-class submarines are diesel-electric boats with an advanced air-independent propulsion system. Their propulsion is exclusively electric, with electric motors powered by batteries.

Armed Forces community choir and theatre

Theatre Royal Plymouth (TRP) is welcoming new members to join its dynamic Armed Forces choir and production group - which both restarted this month - plus its revamped comedy club which kicks off in November.

The free community groups are part of TRP’s Our Space programme, which centres around four key strands of work, including prison and probation, community, productions and the Armed Forces.

Funded by the Veterans’ Foundation, this element provides weekly workshops for service personnel, family members, the Armed Forces community and long-term wounded, injured and sick. Using drama, singing and comedy, the sessions help to build confidence, support wellbeing and foster a sense of purpose and camaraderie through shared creative experiences.

The TRP Armed Forces Choir, led by Letitia Jones, was founded earlier this year in conjunction with Welsh National Opera (WNO) and culminated with a performance on the main stage at this year’s Armed Forces Day on Plymouth Hoe in June. The choir explores a range of genres of music and is now on the lookout for new members. Sessions take place each Thursday evening and entry is open to all serving military personnel, veterans and family members over the age of 18.

For more information on the Armed Forces programme, express interest or book a place, email ourspace@theatreroyal.com.