May 20, 2012
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Photographers Mike and Leigh are processing their images as you read this, but in the meantime for a sneak preview be sure to flick through the images from the Plymouth City Council Facebook Album.
An estimated 40,000 people attending the live torch event on the Hoe!
May 18, 2012
by Scott
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The stage setup is underway as Plymouth prepares for the arrival of the Olympic Torch! The torchbearers will be racing through the city streets, down through the Barbican and finally upto the Plymouth Hoe where a host of media, stars and the public will give the torchbearer a warm welcome!
Live music from Labrinth and recently announced appearance from the popular Twist And Pulse who featured on Britians Got Talent are set to wow the crowds.
If you’d like to know more check out our Plymouth Hoe – Olympic Torch – Event Section for the torchbearer route and tips on coming to see this once in a life time event!
One NOT to be missed!
May 14, 2012
by Scott
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This Saturday 19th May the Olympics arrives in Plymouth with torchbearers carrying the Olympic flame across Plymouth leading up to a huge celebration here on the Plymouth Hoe! Expect live acts including top act Labrinth. Plymouth City Council have also released top travel tips during the day. Road closures are expected across the Torchbearers route.
May 14, 2012
by Scott
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Around seven thousand people took advantage of the beautiful sunshine on The Hoe today and enjoyed a fun day out at Sky Ride Plymouth.
Joining Sky Sports presenter Charlie Webster cyclists of all ages and abilities took to traffic-free streets for the chance to enjoy the town on two wheels. The day marked the first event of Sky Ride 2012 – part of a national campaign to get one million people cycling regularly by 2013, inspiring and helping people get back on their bikes to re-discover the fun they can have.
The free event hosted by Plymouth City Council, British Cycling and Sky allowed riders to take in the 8.5 kilometre route at their own pace whilst enjoying some of Plymouth’s most well-known landmarks including the Barbican, Royal William Yard and The Hoe.
Participants were treated to a whole host of activities and entertainment throughout the day with bike stunt shows and performances from The Waterboarders, Mae and the Midnight Fairground, Cuckoo Collective and Mama Tokus.
Sky Ride Ambassador Charlie Webster commented: It’s been a fantastic day here at Sky Ride Plymouth, with people of all ages getting back on their bikes and enjoying cycling around the city on traffic free streets. I just hope that everyone that has taken part today will be inspired to start cycling more regularly.”
Tricia Thompson Sky’s Director of Cycling said: I’m delighted Sky Ride has come to Plymouth this year and that so many people of all ages and abilities have been able to enjoy cycling through the town. Through our great partnership with Plymouth City Council and British Cycling, we hope to build towards our aim of getting one million more Britons cycling regularly by the end of 2013.”
Plymouth City Council’s Assistant Director for Transport, Clive Perkin said: Seeing so many people taking part in this day really does show that cycling is enjoyable and is a healthy way to travel. This event has been the first part of our Plymotion initiative, a three year project which will see improvements to our cycle links in and around the city.”
Sky Ride Local Rides are running every Sunday through the summer in and around Plymouth which take in everything from the countryside and local sights. Register to take part for free at goskyride.com/skyridelocal.
Source: Plymouth City Council
May 12, 2012
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Babcock International has been announced as the main sponsor of the Armed Forces Day National Event, taking place in the historic maritime city of Plymouth on Saturday 30 June 2012.
The sponsorship agreement highlights Babcock’s long-standing relationship with the Armed Forces as a major supplier to all three services, and also the company’s position as one of the main employers in the city through its base at Devonport Dockyard.
Armed Forces Day is an annual celebration, which gives the British public a chance to show their support for the country’s Royal Navy, Army and Royal Air Force troops past and present.
This year Plymouth has been chosen to host the Armed Forces Day National Event. The city of Plymouth has a proud maritime heritage and a relationship with the Armed Forces stretching back centuries, making it a fitting choice to lead the national celebrations.
An extensive programme of activity is being organised by Plymouth City Council for the national celebrations including military displays on land, sea and air, as well as an appearance from the spectacular Red Arrows, which is expected to draw thousands of visitors to the city.
Councillor Mike Wright, Lord Mayor Designate said: “We are delighted to have Babcock International on board as the lead sponsor of the Armed Forces Day National Event. They are one of the biggest employers in the city at their Devonport Dockyard facility which is co-located with the Naval Base in Plymouth, and it is great to see a company with a high profile Plymouth base sponsoring a major city event like this.”
Babcock International is the UK’s leading engineering support services company with over 27,000 staff nationwide and more than 4,000 employed in Plymouth.
The company’s Defense and Security division is a major provider to all three armed forces, and it’s Marine and Technology division supplies through-life services and deep maintenance to the Royal Navy’s major warships and nuclear-powered submarines, in addition to operating a wide range of strategic shore-based naval support facilities.
Archie Bethel, Chief Executive of Babcock’s Marine and Technology Division and a member of Babcock International’s Executive Board said: “We are very proud to sponsor the 2012 Armed Forces Day National Event in Plymouth. Babcock has a long established working relationship with all three armed forces and our team here is particularly delighted to be associated with this great celebration of the work and commitment of our serving men and women.”
For more information about Babcock International, visit www.babcock.co.uk.
For the latest news and updates about Armed Forces Day National Event in Plymouth please visit www.armedforcesday.org.uk
May 10, 2012
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Top tips are being announced by Plymouth City Council for the thousands of visitors excepted to turn out for the special events on Saturday 19 May.
It will be a bumper weekend of fun with Lord Mayor’s Day, the P1 Powerboat Championships and then the evening spectacle of the Olympic Torch Relay and Evening Celebration on the Hoe.
Organisers are urging people to plan their journeys and leave plenty of time to get to the events. The live entertainment for the Evening Celebration on the Hoe starts at 7pm. The Torch Relay reaches Devonport at 7.40pm and will arrive at the Hoe at approximately 8.50pm.
Visitors are being urged to use public transport where possible to minimise the number of cars on the roads. There will be an extended park and ride service for Saturday evening with buses running every 20 minutes from the George Junction, Milehouse and Coypool park and ride. The last park and ride service will be at 10.15pm. Buses will drop off on Royal Parade as normal until 7pm and will then pick up and drop off passengers at alternative locations in the city centre until 9pm while Royal Parade is closed for the Torch Relay.
City centre car parks will operate as normal. Western Approach will provide easy access for the event. Some road closures will affect access while the Relay is passing. There will be disabled parking at Pier Street car park for disabled badge holders on Saturday 19 May.
Drivers are being asked to avoid the actual route of the Torch Relay as there is likely to be congestion around the route and behind the convoy. You can view the route on our Olympic Torch Relay page. Local radio stations will broadcast regular traffic and travel updates.
Assistant Director for Transport, Clive Perkin said: “We are expecting large crowds for this fantastic event so I would urge everyone to plan their journeys and allow plenty of time to get to their chosen vantage points on the Torch Relay route and up onto the Hoe.”
Road closures have been kept to a minimum to reduce disruption but some are necessary to ensure the safety of those involved in the Torch Relay and spectators. Southside Street and The Barbican will be closed from 4pm until 9pm. Hoe Road from its junction with Madeira Road to its junction with Citadel Road and Citadel Road from Lockyer Street to Zion Street will be closed from 4pm to 10pm.
Osborne Place will be closed between 7pm and 10pm.
Royal Parade, Exeter Street from Charles Cross to Royal Parade inbound, Kinterbury Street from Bretonside to St Andrew’s Cross inbound and Union Street from Western Approach to Royal Parade will be closed from 7pm until 9pm.
Taxi services will be affected by the city centre road closures. While Royal Parade is closed, passengers will be able to catch a taxi from Colin Campbell Court car park and the pick up and drop off car park at the bus station (as well as the other ranks in the city centre not within the road closures) rather than from Raleigh Street and Old Town Street.
Bretonside bus station will be unavailable for coaches and lorries between 11am Saturday 19 May and 11am Sunday 20 May for anything other than scheduled passenger pick ups and set downs. All lorries and coaches requiring layovers of more than 10 minutes, including overnight parking, will need to make alternative arrangements.
Coaches and lorries may wish to use the Westward Transport Café Truck Stop and Lorry Park at Lee Mill.
Source: Plymouth City Council
May 4, 2012
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Chart topping star Labrinth is to headline the Olympic Torch Relay Evening Celebration on Plymouth Hoe on Saturday 19 May.
Coca-Cola, a Presenting Partner of the Olympic Torch Relay, today made the announcement and said that Labrinth will take to the stage as part of the two hour live entertainment stage show.
James Williams, Director, Olympic Torch Relay, The Coca-Cola Company, said: “We know that music brings people together in celebration and as a Presenting Partner of the Olympic Torch Relay we have a fantastic opportunity to extend the magic and excitement of London 2012 to every corner of the UK.
Labrinth said: “London 2012 is nearly here and I’m so hyped to be helping Coke bring music to so many places across the West Country. Everyone needs to get involved and celebrate the amazing young people running with the Olympic Flame. UK all day! It’s gonna be mad fun!”
The UK’s first Torch Relay Evening Celebration live event will begin at 7pm. Presenting Partners Lloyds TSB and Samsung are bringing stunning acrobatic performances and dancers to entertain the crowds.
Local performers will also get a chance to shine. Plymouth City Council is providing part of the live entertainment programme and has commissioned Plymouth Dance for two performances. ‘Top-Notch’ is an explosive mix of street dance and elite sports movement. ‘On Your Marks’ is a cultural celebration that blends film and live dance in a breathtaking display of dance and sport training.
Before and during the show the audience will have the opportunity to take part in a number of activities courtesy of Coca-Cola, Lloyds TSB and Samsung. These include having your photograph taken with the London 2012 Torch and other Olympic-related activities. Towards the end of the two hour show the final Torchbearer of day one will light a huge cauldron on stage.
The Olympic Torch Relay begins at Land’s End on the morning of Saturday 19 May and reaches Plymouth at approximately 7.40pm on Saltash Road outside HMS Drake.
For more details visit our Olympic Torch Relay page.
Source: Plymouth City Council
May 1, 2012
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Starting on The Hoe, the Sky Ride eight and a half kilometre route has now been announced and will travel through the Barbican, City Centre, Millbridge, Stonehouse, Royal William Yard and Millbay.
Sky Ride Plymouth is a mass participation cycling event for all ages and abilities which is being held on Sunday 13 May between 10am and 4pm. Sky and British Cycling have been working closely with Plymouth City Council to bring this free event to Plymouth which will encourage people to have fun on traffic free roads.
The route showcases some of Plymouth’s finest landmarks and places of interest such as the architecture of the Citadel and The Crescent, the character of the Barbican and Southside Street and the new foot and cycle path at Stonehouse Creek.
One of the highlights of the ride will be cycling the perimeter of Royal William Yard, along the boardwalk and over the lock gates which will be a unique experience as these are normally closed to the public.
There will be a number of road closures in place on the day between 7am and 5.30pm. The roads that will be closed are; Hoe Road, Maderia Road, The Barbican, Southside Street, Notte Street, The Crescent, Millbay Road, West Hoe Road, Pier Street, Phoenix Street, Manor Street, King Street Roundabout, Stoke Road, Eldad Hill (from the junction of Stoke Road to the entrance of the Victoria Road cycle path), Caroline Place and Emma Place Ope.
Residents are being advised that any vehicles parked on these streets overnight on Saturday 12 May will not be able to be moved between 7am and 5.30pm on Sunday 13 May. Alternative parking is available at the Barbican multi-storey car park (near the Aquarium), Lambay Hill car park and Devil’s Point car park.
Motorists will be able to drive along Cremyll Street, Durnford Street and Royal William Road on the day but will not be able to park, wait or use as a loading area.
Diversion routes will be signed for people travelling through the city.
To sign up for the Sky Ride Plymouth event and for a chance to win some amazing prizes visit the Sky Ride Plymouth website. Prizes include a bike, free Sky for a year, a signed jersey or a day with Chris Hoy!
To find out more about the event and to view the full route visit our Sky Ride page.
Source: Plymouth City Council