Plymouth Albion and Vospers have teamed up to deliver a groundbreaking community initiative aimed at revitalising rugby in Plymouth’s primary schools.

The partnership is providing professional coaching, fostering key values of the sport, and giving hundreds of children the opportunity to develop their skills and confidence through rugby.

With limited access to sports facilities in many schools, the programme is bridging the gap by integrating rugby training into PE lessons and after-school sessions.

A clean technology company based in North Plymouth has expanded its workforce to more than 50 employees as it continues to develop its electric vehicle (EV) battery recycling operations.

Estover-based Altilium, which specialises in recovering critical metals from end-of-life EV batteries, has recently attracted international investment. In the first quarter of 2025, the company secured $2.5 million from Mizuho Bank and a $5 million strategic investment from the Japanese trading and investment group Marubeni Corporation.

Altilium’ss continued growth underlines its commitment to supporting the UK’s transition to a low-carbon economy and establishing Devon as a hub for clean technology innovation.

Students at special school, Cann Bridge School in Estover, have taken part in an international learning experience in Gran Canaria to help develop their independence, social skills and cultural awareness.

The experience was made possible through specialist education provider Eat That Frog’s Turing Scheme and provided valuable hands-on learning that extended beyond the classroom, reinforcing values of aspiration, collaboration, learner focus and progressiveness.

The new Marjon Health & Wellbeing Hub at Plymouth Marjon University is set to open this September. The refurbished building on the university’ s campus will host a number of its health and wellbeing courses and community health clinics.

The new facility, located on the southwest corner of the campus, will serve as a state-of-the-art home for Marjon’ s health and wellbeing courses and community health clinics, marking a significant milestone in the university’s commitment to healthcare education.

Fred Thomas, MP for Plymouth Moor View, has presented an official copy of his maiden speech to Four Greens Community Trust, the Whitleigh-based charity that works across the city to eradicate poverty, social isolation and health inequalities in Plymouth.

The MP, who was first elected at the general election last July, will be presenting official copies of his maiden speech to charities, businesses, and organisations across the city that he paid tribute to when he first stood up to speak in Parliament last year.

Volunteers at Plymouth Miniature Steam in Southway are gearing up for the launch of their popular public running sessions in April.

Plymouth Miniature Steam is a club of around 100 individuals with an interest in miniature steam engines and model engineering of all types. Anyone who is interested in running atheour Pendeen Crescent track in Southway and have a chat with members of the club.

Derriford Hospital is set to be one of hundreds of NHS sites across the country to benefit from Great British Energy’s project to install solar panels on hospital roofs, to save NHS trusts thousands on their energy bills.

The programme – which marks the first major project for the Labour Government’s publicly-owned energy company – will mean Derriford Hospital receives more than half a million pounds to install solar panels.

In a hard-hitting report, Police and Crime Commissioner Alison Hernandez has said she is ‘deeply disappointed’ at Devon & Cornwall Police’s handling of complaints from the public.

She said that, based on the scrutiny report by her office, it is clear the force has not provided an acceptable service, despite providing significant investment for improvements after an independent review into complaint handling in 2023 highlighted areas of concern.

“Bankruptcy looming? The Budget Meeting of Plymouth City Council on February 24 left me incredulous.”

“On a positive note, as I commented at the time, the budget was balanced under difficult circumstances many thanks to the expertise of Cllr. Lowry and the finance team – with a well-deserved injection of cash into Children’s Services and Education.”

Freedom Community Festival is back for two days to celebrate its 25th anniversary on May 24 and 25 at Freedom Fields Park in Lipson.

The festival volunteer team are working hard to make this year one of the best yet. There will be a great variety of local live music, stalls, catering, licensed bar, inflatables, community group services information plus a dedicated family area offering various activities.

A high-speed commando race across the sound marked the official launch of Plymouth Armed Forces Day – 100 days before the event on Plymouth Hoe on June 28.

The adrenalin fuelled launch saw an all-action military exercise, as part of a Royal Marines recruitment drive to inspire the next generation of Commandos. The event included a high-speed on-water display, bringing eight Royal Marines from the recruiting team of the Commando Training Centre Royal Marines, across Plymouth Sound National Marine Park in their new Commando Raiding Craft, flying the Armed Forces and sponsor’s flag.