Bookings are now open for the National Marine Park Big Blue Splash event, which will give people the chance to enjoy and explore Plymouth Sound National Marine Park up close, thanks to funding from The National Lottery Heritage Fund.
A free weekend of exciting activities will run on Saturday 23 and Sunday 24 July which will give both adults and children the chance to try out activities around the water and learn more about the ocean and the seashore around Tinside, Mount Batten and Mount Edgcumbe.
Whilst many events are selling out very quickly, there’s still plenty of spaces for activities including swimming in the lido, art workshops, tours, exploration and more. There are also many activities that people will be able to turn up and enjoy on the day.
Plymouth City Council is also working closely with local community groups and has reserved a number of places for groups to book, enabling as many people as possible across the city to take part in activities.
We're pleased to be hosting a morning webinar with Sir Russell Coutts and Sir Ben Ainslie on Tuesday 5 July to share more about what to expect from the third event in the global championship’s Season 3 calendar.
Five-time America’s Cup winner and Olympic gold medallist Sir Russell Coutts, CEO of SailGP will share a unique insight into the Great Britain Sail Grand Prix taking place in Plymouth this summer, 30-31 July.
Alongside Russell we’ll be joined by Ben Ainslie, the most successful Olympic sailor of all time and CEO and Driver of the Great Britain SailGP Team which comprises of some of the country's top sporting talent with Olympic medals across multiple sports.
Hosted by Richard Stevens, Chair of Plymouth Growth Board with introductions by Councillor Pat Patel, Cabinet Member for Leisure, Sport and Customer Service, Russell and Ben will join us to share more about how SailGP will not only bring adrenaline fuelled sailing, but also important economic benefits to Plymouth when it returns this summer.
Another significant milestone has been reached for the Plymouth and South Devon Freeport which has now received approval from the Government for its Outline Business Case, along with two of its proposed tax sites.
A freeport in Plymouth and South Devon will create a zone designated by the Government with certain allowances to boost the economy. These allowances will include lower taxes and customs, such as favourable tariffs, VAT or duties.
This fantastic news for Plymouth and South Devon will result in the unlocking of millions of pounds worth of funding for the region. It will encourage a resurgence of economic activity with businesses more inclined to open in the area, creating thousands more jobs and bringing vast investment into the local community.
This is a huge boost for the whole South West region offering a host of opportunities for the future, whilst aiding faster local economic recovery following the difficulties of the past two years and the unprecedented challenges brought about by Covid-19.
Four community organisations in Plymouth will benefit from reductions in energy bills and lower carbon emissions thanks to a clean energy project between local charity, Plymouth Energy Community (PEC), Plymouth City Council and SailGP, the fastest race on water which is returning to Britain’s Ocean City, home of the UK’s first National Marine Park, for the Great Britain Sail Grand Prix on July 30 and 31.
The project reflects PEC’s commitment to creating a fair, affordable zero carbon energy system and will see PEC donate more than 100 solar panels to community organisations from an old school building that is due to be demolished.
To mark one month to go until the Great Britain Sail Grand Prix returns to Plymouth, students from Years 7 and 8 at Plympton Academy were today joined by the world’s most successful female Olympic sailor (2 gold, 1 silver) and member of the Great Britain SailGP Team, Hannah Mills OBE, for a lesson on climate change and the importance of protecting the oceans.
The lesson, which examined the important role plants like seagrass play in tackling climate change by capturing carbon dioxide and releasing oxygen, was based on content developed by SailGP and produced by Protect our Future, the official charity of Sir Ben Ainslie’s Great Britain SailGP Team.
Protect our Future is a national campaign developed by the 1851 Trust to empower and equip young people and educators with the skills and knowledge to understand climate science and take positive action. Its ambition is to help over 1 million young people to take action to protect nature, people and the planet.
The lesson featured a video of Sir Ben Ainslie explaining the importance of seagrass and a film of Hannah Mills visiting a seagrass bed planted by SailGP in Bermuda. The children also took part in a practical session where they got to make their own seedbomb.
The UK’s largest aquarium, the National Marine Aquarium, will feature in a new TV series for BBC Two and iPlayer, taking viewers behind the scenes of its stunning, world-class exhibits
Part of three new factual commissions announced by the BBC at Wales Screen Summit, Secrets of the Aquarium, goes under water at the centre in Plymouth as the team tackle the everyday challenges of keeping over 4,000 spectacular creatures happy and healthy.
Produced by Welsh production company, Hall of Mirrors, the series follows the National Marine Aquarium through an exciting year of renovation, overhaul and innovation as the aquarium approaches its 25th anniversary. It’s a time of change: new tanks are being installed and new animals are arriving.
As well as the team based in the Aquarium itself, the six-part series will also venture into the wild following the team’s role in a vital new seagrass protection project – the landmark ‘Blue Meadows’, which will deliver a holistic approach to seagrass protection, regeneration and restoration. Seagrasses are 35 times more efficient at absorbing carbon than rainforests of the same area and despite only covering 0.2% of the seafloor, seagrasses store 10% of the Ocean’s carbon.
Plymouth’s East End Community Centre, based in Cattedown, reopened its doors on Wednesday 22 June in a grand relaunching ceremony with the Lord Mayor Councillor Sue Dann.
Following the closure of much of the city’s community hubs during the Covid-19 lockdowns, the official reopening aims to put the centre back at the heart of the local community. The site is located on Cattedown Road, and has been closed for an extended period of time.
After receiving £20,000 from the Covid 19 Additional Restrictions Grant Fund, awarded by Plymouth City Council, the ceremony showed off a brand new IT suite that will support Plymouth jobseekers, community organisations, trainers, and local businesses. The Trust will also be working at getting their services back to normal in the wake of the pandemic restrictions over the past few years.
Ventro Fire Compliance has been awarded a place on the new NHS Shared Business Framework, meaning NHS clients can now deal direct with the Plymouth-based outfit specializing in vital fire safety services for both the NHS and wider markets across the UK.
The latest Hard Facilities Management framework agreement is the second in a series of landmark developments from NHS Shared Business Services, designed to help the health sector manoeuvre its way forward from the COVID crisis, and this time includes creative and innovative SMEs such as Ventro, enabling NHS Trusts to deal direct with preferred suppliers and provide a faster response, especially at local levels.
As one of the founding branch members of the Nautical Institute, next week Plymouth will host the Institute’s 50th Anniversary Conference, Dinner and AGM.
Founded in 1972 the Nautical Institute has thousands of maritime professionals as members around the world, representing the best of the shipping industry and providing inspiration, knowledge and leadership. The Nautical Institute is proudly represented by over 50 branches worldwide.
Since the Institute’s formation there has been a revolution in shipping. Advances in technology including communication and navigation, an increased appreciation of the marine environment and a fourfold increase in cargo carried by sea have impacted on those involved in the management and operation of ships. From relatively humble beginnings the Nautical Institute has grown to become a body recognised by the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) for the quality of the knowledge and practical experience of its members.
The 50th Anniversary is being celebrated in different ways in locations around the world including San Francisco, Greece, Singapore, Hong Kong, Brazil, India, Bangladesh, Australia, Canada, London and Plymouth.
Would you like to be involved in some of Plymouth’s most exciting events? If so, Plymouth City Council is on the lookout for friendly and reliable people to join the Ocean City Volunteering Team.
As an event volunteer you’d be amongst the first to hear about new volunteering opportunities at events such as the National Marine Park National Marine Park Blue Splash and SailGP.
The responsibilities and expectations of each role are clearly defined in advance to help you decide if is suitable for you.
Typical tasks might include welcoming spectators to event sites, helping set-up and pack down the event, providing information to participants and spectators, signposting spectators around the event and supporting environmental issues.
Signing up as an event volunteer doesn’t commit you – it just means you’ll receive details of volunteering opportunities coming up.
To apply, click the below button and then keep an eye on your email inbox for details of specific events.
For more information email: neil.minion@plymouth.gov.uk
For further information on the latest events, visit Invest Plymouth's event page
If you have a Plymouth event you'd like promoted, you can submit your own events here
Meet the Professional Video Expert
Oceansgate | Endeavour House, PL1 4RW | 6 July
The 'Professional Video' workshop will focus on 'What's your business story'. This will be delivered by Tom Palmer, one of the founders of Ocean City Media, and former senior BBC editor, in partnership with the 'Meet the Expert' Business Support Programme and will offer practical advice on how storytelling is a great way of engaging with people and getting key messages across about you and your business
Early Careers Fair
Building Plymouth | Plymouth Argyle Home Park | 9 July
Exciting apprenticeship and graduate opportunities for joining Plymouth’s Construction & Built Environment, and Manufacturing & Engineering sectors. Building Plymouth and Plymouth Manufacturers’ Group have joined together to help those looking for apprenticeship and graduate opportunities in Plymouth’s construction and the built environment, and manufacturing and engineering sectors to meet with top employers.
Launch your career in childcare
Skills Launchpad Plymouth | First floor Barclays Bank, city centre | 11 July
Thinking about starting a career in childcare, or looking to refresh your skills to rejoin the sector? Look no further.
Join recruiting childcare employers and training providers at Skills Launchpad Plymouth on Monday 11 July between 12-3pm for the chance to meet local organisations and get started.
JewelFund Re-opens for Aspiring Jewellers Worldwide
The JewelFund offers grants to jewellers to support them in starting and growing their own jewellery businesses. Jewellers from anywhere in the world with a passion for creating jewellery and in need of some additional funding to launch or grow their business will qualify for assistance.
Applicants can apply for one of two £1,000 grants to spend on a specific area of a business. At least one of these grants will be awarded to a jeweller who identifies as Black, Asian, Minority Ethnic (BAME) or from multiple races. As well as the money, applicants will get one-to-one business coaching every other month with the award winning jewellery entrepreneur Jessica Rose.
All applications must be received by Wednesday 20 July 2022.
Launch of Digital Growth Grants to Support UK Tech Start-ups
The Digital Growth Grant is intended to boost the growth of innovative tech start-ups and scale-ups across the UK. It will focus on opening up access to skills training and advice, and providing support services to the digital and tech sector, including improving connections with investors.
The scheme is inviting bids to accelerate the growth of tech start-up and scale-up ecosystems across the regions and nations of the UK. The successful bidder will be awarded up to £12.09 million to be spent over two financial years 2023/24 and 2024/25.
The deadline for applications to be submitted is 15 August 2022.
New Round of £25,000 Business Boost Competition Launched
The Business Boost competition is designed to help small businesses bounce back from economic challenges, and boost the chances of new start-ups. The scheme can help those wishing to start, grow or revive a small business.
The winner will be awarded a £25,000 grant.
The deadline to apply is 17 August 2022.
Sky and BEO Announce £1m Partnership to Support Black Entrepreneurs
Through the Future 100 Growth Fund, Sky and civil rights organisation BEO are supporting Black entrepreneurs to launch and grow their own businesses in the UK. Future 100 provides investment and access to supply chains, backed up by expert business advice, coaching and mentoring, to break down the barriers faced by Black British entrepreneurs when setting up and growing their businesses.
The programme will also create a cohort of Black British entrepreneurs, with opportunities to network and share experiences, successes and challenges. Its focus on economic empowerment and equity of opportunity aims to reduce inequality and enable young Black entrepreneurs to thrive and succeed.
Future 100 will offer funding of up to £15,000 for innovative new business ideas and successful existing companies.
Applications will open on 1 July 2022 and close on 20 August 2022.
2022 EIT Digital Challenge Now Open for European & UK Tech Start-ups
The EIT Digital Challenge is an annual Europe-wide call for the most innovative start-ups in digital technology ready to scale up. It is provided through EIT Digital- a European digital innovation and entrepreneurial education organisation.
The top 20 companies will be invited to an event to pitch in front of a panel of experts and investors, as well as participate in matchmaking sessions with invited corporates and investors. The best five companies will receive a full year of tailored international growth support by the EIT Digital Accelerator worth €50,000 to scale up their business. They will get dedicated services in international Access to Finance and Business Development by the EIT Digital Accelerator team.
The deadline for applications is 19 September 2022.
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