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Foreign warships coming to Plymouth

By The Captain, maritime correspondent, The Beagle As I have previously written, lots of foreign warships come to Plymouth for NATO’s Operational Sea Training (OST).  The Royal Norwegian Navy’s Frigate Otto Sverdrup has been here for the last fortnight and may have finished her training period (she is

Union Street project wins “inspiring” award

It boasts a rich history as a bustling entertainment hub which in its heyday boasted pubs, nightclubs, cinemas, restaurants and theatres all in the space of a few hundred yards. These days its a symbol of decay - with more than a quarter of its beautiful historic buildings empty and

Active morning in Plymouth Sound

By The Captain, maritime correspondent for The Beagle Users of the Torpoint Ferry this morning will have been aware that there was a ‘submarine movement’. These ‘movements’ are driven by the tide – which was high at 0753 this morning. Ideally, you plan to move a vessel with a deep draught

EXCLUSIVE: Residents Fury Over 'Eye-Watering' Service Charge Demands

Residents of Plymouth's prestigious Royal William Yard are up in arms after receiving "eye-wateringly huge" invoices from managing agent RMG, demanding significant overspends for the 2022/23 and 2023/24 financial years. The Royal William Yard Residents Association (RWYRA) has branded the charges a "mishmash

Oh dear - a very wet visit for luxury cruise ship passengers

By The Captain I’m sure we all welcome cruise ships to our port – but why oh why couldn’t the Silver Spirit have been here yesterday, when the sun was shining? As those of you who ventured out this morning will have seen, many of Plymouth streets were awash

Police appeal after "XL bully" dog attacked chihuahua, and owner "assaulted"

Police are appealing for witnesses and relevant CCTV, dash-cam or other footage following a dog attack and an assault in Millbay. On Tuesday 3 June a woman called 999 on Millbay Road stating that her chihuahua dog had been attacked by an out-of-control XL bully type dog some time prior

Longest Yarn has visitors in stitches

A brilliant exhibition has just opened in the Devonport Market Hall (NOT the Guildhall, as some sources may say).  This is The Longest Yarn 2 and it runs until 28th June, writes The Captain. Some will remember the ‘knitted D-Day’ which travelled the country last year and is now over

FOST and OST as ships and a sub arrive in the Sound

By The Captain, maritime correspondent, The Beagle Another busy few days in the Sound for naval shipping.   This week, the Royal Norwegian Navy (RNoN) Frigate Otto Sverdrup arrived, almost certainly for Operational Sea Training (OST) with Flag Officer Sea Training (FOST).  I assume she will be here for a week

Time for Action? When Will Plymouth Council Enforce a Ban on Disposable Barbecues on The Hoe?

Waterfront councillor and former MP Alison Raynsford has promised Plymouth City Council will look at a range of options to tackle the damage being caused to The Hoe by disposable barbecues. Local residents have voiced their concerns, highlighting the environmental damage and fire risks associated with the single-use grills. One

Terrific new street art taking shape at former Quality Hotel site

Renowned Plymouth street artist Jon Lilly, known as Chops, has brought his brushes and aerosols to the hoardings around the former Quality Hotel site. His “yellow submarine” design was inspired by the historic visit of The Beatles to the Hoe on 12 September 1967, when the Fab Four posed for

Teenager arrested on Hoe and weapon seized

An 18-year-old was arrested on Plymouth Hoe this morning (Monday) and police located and seized what appeared to be a very large bladed weapon. Two officers were seen on foot patrol near to the Belvedere terrace at around 11am carrying out a "stop and search". Devon and Cornwall

Gateway entrance to Elliot Terrace damaged by vehicle

The gateway entrance to Elliot Terrace near Plymouth Hoe was damaged earlier today (Monday) by a vehicle. The heavy stone pillar toppled onto the pavement, and the large stone topping was knocked into the road. Workmen later moved the damage away from the street and piled it behind a wall.

Ships and yachts on a busy weekend in the Sound

And still they come to join the French, Admiral RAdm Bossu’s, forces for Exercise Catamaran. This morning’s arrival was the French ship Tonnere – to join her sister ship FS Dixmude (presently alongside in Devonport). FS Tonnere is anchored south of the Breakwater (seen in the photo, above, from

Remember the Cold War years? Are we returning to large multi-national exercises seen off Plymouth?

By The Captain, maritime correspondent, The Beagle As The Beagle noted yesterday, Rear Admiral Yannick Bossu’s Flagship ship Dixmude arrived in Plymouth yesterday. RAdm Bossu is DCOM FRSTRIKEFOR (in NATO-speak). This means that he is Deputy Commander of the French (naval) Strike Force. As such, he is presently in