Two more waterfront areas test positive for asbestos; 2026 cruise liners bring 11,000 ashore; Part 2 of the Captain's exploration of Plymouth Boat Trips; and your weekend planner...
Friday November 6, 2026
Regular clean-ups to take place on two areas of Plymouth foreshore
Regular clean-ups are to be carried out at two areas of foreshore in Plymouth to remove any materials that may contain asbestos, after positive tests which the city council say only pose a low risk to public health.
The city council is taking "precautionary measures" at Teats Hill (off Artillery Place) and Clovelly Bay (in Turnchapel) following the identification of asbestos in samples taken from each site.
The sampling was part of a series of tests carried out at 10 areas of publicly accessible foreshore around the waterfront. These were commissioned by the City Council following positive tests for asbestos in areas of foreshore at Mount Batten during the summer.
The tests showed the presence of asbestos in two locations. At Teats Hill beach (off Artillery Place) cement containing chrysotile (white) asbestos was found in one of 14 ground samples taken from the beach. At one of two areas of foreshore at Clovelly Bay in Turnchapel, one of five samples taken showed the presence of cement containing chrysotile asbestos.
The council says the presence of pieces of concrete containing asbestos on these beaches poses low risk to public health as no fibres are airborne. There are no access restrictions to the sites.
Plymouth cruise season ends: 11,000 visitors came ashore
Around 11,000 visitors came ashore at the Barbican Landing Stage during this year's cruise season, bringing an estimated £1 million boost to the local economy.
According to Cruise Industry News, more than 20 visits by cruise ships, superyachts and tall ships were recorded during 2026, with the season ending on October 20 when the Amera, operated by German cruise company Phoenix Reisen, departed the Sound.
Highlights included first-time visits by Ritz-Carlton's Evrima, P&O Cruises' Aurora and SeaDream Yacht Club's SeaDream II. Cattewater Harbour Commissioners estimate the additional visitor spending at around £1 million, based on an assumed £90 expenditure per passenger.
And there are encouraging signs for future seasons, with 38 enquiries for cruise visits in 2027 and 2028, many already confirmed, and a further ten enquiries for 2029. The figures underline the growing importance of visiting vessels to Plymouth's waterfront tourism and hospitality businesses.
Theft from Elvira's café
The charity collection box was stolen from Elvira's café on Wednesday this week.
Writing on their Facebook post, they said: "We’re all really upset that someone would take money so kindly donated by our customers to help others. It’s a horrible thing to have happened in the café, and we know many of you will feel disappointed too.We wanted to make other local businesses aware so you can stay vigilant and keep an extra eye on your collection pots.We’re also unsure of the next steps. If anyone has experienced something similar or can offer advice on reporting this and informing the charity, we’d really appreciate your help."
The Captain's 'Scene on the Sound' this week
There has been very little naval activity this week. No foreign warships coming or going in the Sound and just HM Ships Sutherland and the MCMV (Mine Counter Measures Vessel) HMS Brocklesby. Sutherland is one of a dwindling fleet of frigates - the Daily Telegraph says we now have only 3, but I think that’s too pessimistic.
On the foreshore, there have been a couple of developments. The screen above the Lido cafe has gone, so the view from the walkway under Hoe Road is much improved, and the ‘mobile’ fish and chip stall that has been parked on the road above the Wet Wok for months has gone. The Ocean City Snacks café says that their kitchen on the seaward side of the road is now back in service.
On the West Hoe Harbour site, the coring rig is still on site and there is still scaffolding around the end of the eastern pier.
Plymouth Boat Trips - Part Two
By Beagle maritime correspondent The Captain
Last week I wrote about the Cremyll Ferry, operated by Plymouth Boat Trips. As well as the Cremyll Ferry, PBT also runs the Waterlink Ferry from the Barbican to Royal William Yard and on to Saltash; and the seasonal Cawsand Ferry (April-October).
Perhaps when the repairs to the West Hoe Harbour are finally completed (Easter 2027???), the Waterlink Ferry could include a stop there. The council's Plymouth City Living plan certainly proposes an extended ‘water taxi’ network with a stop on the Hoe foreshore...
To run the Cawsand and Waterlink ferries, PBT has two main boats, the Tamar Belle and the Plymouth Princess. The Tamar Belle was completed in 1960 as the Queen of Helford. She spent the first 44 years of her working life on the Rivers Dart and Fal. On arrival in Plymouth Sound, she was renamed Tamar Belle and she’s been here ever since. She is built of wood and has a gross tonnage of 21.46 tons, with a diesel engine giving her a top speed of 8.5 knots.
Another stalwart of the ferry services is the Plymouth Princess. Now 32 years old, she was originally built to operate the Kingsbridge to Salcombe Ferry service. Plymouth Princess displaces 20.55 gross tonnes and is 16 metres in length. She has a top speed of 8 knots and is licensed to carry up to 103 passengers, with a crew of three.
Whilst this article has mentioned the ‘usual’ employment of the Tamar Belle and the Plymouth Princess, things are never that simple at sea! All of the PBT fleet can be flexed to cover such other tasks as acting as tenders to visiting cruise ships if necessary and, inevitably, there may be breakdowns to work around.
In next week’s concluding part on Plymouth Boat Trips I will cover the two larger craft, the Plymouth Sound and Legend of Plymouth, both primarily used as ‘grockle’ boats.
Something for the weekend: Remembrance Sunday, big-band music and candlelit concerts
1. Plymouth remembers its fallen
Sunday | Plymouth Hoe | from 10.35am
One of Plymouth's most poignant annual ceremonies takes place on Sunday, as veterans, serving military personnel, civic dignitaries and members of the public gather to remember those who lost their lives in conflict. This year's Remembrance Sunday service will include representatives from a visiting Brazilian naval vessel and the US Coastguard. The Band of His Majesty's Royal Marines will take up position at 10.35am, with a silence beginning at 11am indicated by 29 Commando Gunners from the Citadel, followed by the laying of wreaths.
2. Tony Hadley brings his big band to Plymouth
Saturday | Plymouth Arena | 7.45pm
Former Spandau Ballet frontman Tony Hadley brings his Christmas Big Band Tour to Plymouth. Backed by his band and a full brass section, Hadley will perform swing and jazz standards alongside big-band arrangements of some of his best-known hits.
3. Discover 200 years of Royal William Yard
Saturday and Sunday | Melville Corner, Royal William Yard | 11am–5pm (runs until November 29)
A free exhibition celebrating two centuries of one of Plymouth's most important maritime landmarks has returned to Royal William Yard.
4. Harry Enfield brings his comedy characters to life
Sunday | Plymouth Arena, Millbay | 7.30pm
Comedy favourite Harry Enfield arrives in Plymouth with Harry Enfield and No Chums, a live show looking back over four decades of comedy. Info and tickets
5. Enjoy Fleetwood Mac by candlelight
Sunday | National Marine Aquarium | 8.30pm
The music of Fleetwood Mac receives a classical makeover in the atmospheric surroundings of the National Marine Aquarium.
Part of the popular Candlelight concert series. Tickets and info
Book your visit to Chelson Meadow!
OK it's not the Waterfront, but heck, we all go there! And now a booking system is being trialled for six months to avoid queues at peak time at both Plymouth’s household recycling centres
They are expected to be introduced at Chelson Meadow and Weston Mill this month.
Plymouth City Council says that evidence from other local authorities demonstrates a range of operational benefits from introducing a booking system, including improved traffic management, reduced queueing and improved site safety.
A council report says demand fluctuates significantly throughout the day, week and year, at the centres leading to periods of congestion and increased pressure on site options - and it's hoped a pre-booking system will help manage the flow.
Save the Date: Remembering the Cockleshell Heroes
As we pause during this week of Remembrance, here is another date for the diary: 6 December, when families, veterans and the community will gather at North Corner to honour the Cockleshell Heroes.
The annual ceremony remembers the Royal Marines who took part in Operation Frankton, the extraordinary wartime raid on German shipping in Bordeaux in December 1942. The memorial at North Corner names five Devonport servicemen who took part.
Ten men set out in kayaks, paddling towards the occupied port to attach mines to enemy vessels. Only two survived. Their courage became widely known through the film The Cockleshell Heroes, and their story remains an important part of Plymouth’s military heritage.
This year’s gathering follows a welcome change at nearby Cornwall Beach, where sixty tonnes of abandoned and rotting boats, along with drug paraphernalia, have been cleared after years of neglect.
Luke Pollard MP, who has campaigned for the clean-up, says the Ministry of Defence will now repair damaged walls, steps, the slipway and cobbles. He is pressing for that work to be completed before the commemoration.
The ceremony is organised by families of some of the men, keeping their memory alive from one generation to the next.
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