Featured Articles

  • The Eastern Hulks of Hooe Lake, Plymouth

    The Eastern Hulks of Hooe Lake, Plymouth

    November 8, 2011 | 3 Comments | More

    The remains of hulks, or abandoned watercraft, located along the river edge and the intertidal zone are an important component of our maritime past. Often they represent the only remains of types of boats that are no longer afloat or very rare. In this article we look at those at the eastern end of the Lake

  • NEW Planning Application Submitted for 222 Homes in Hooe Quarry, 11-01250-FUL

    NEW Planning Application Submitted for 222 Homes in Hooe Quarry, 11-01250-FUL

    August 18, 2011 | 4 Comments | More

    Notice for PLANNING IN HOOE QUARRY 222 houses has now been proposed. Re-development of Hooe Quarry site by erection of 222 new dwellings, provision of new public open space, ancillary access roads, improvements to Barton Road and associated works

  • Hooe Lake Hulks, Paintings by Richard Allman

    Hooe Lake Hulks, Paintings by Richard Allman

    July 25, 2011 | 1 Comment | More

    Another fine example of how the area of Hooe Lake captivates & inspires! Local artist Richard Allman has been painting the Hooe Lake wrecks for a number of years, and as they  are such a prominent feature we couldn’t help but highlight them here. Richard writes – Over the last 15 years or so I’ve [...]

  • Mute Swans and their six Cygnets on Hooe Lake – 2011

    Mute Swans and their six Cygnets on Hooe Lake – 2011

    July 22, 2011 | 4 Comments | More

    Radford Duck Ponds welcomed 6 new cygnets that hatched sometime between Friday night and Saturday the 7th of May 2011.  They are pictured here newly hatched and then at approximately 6 weeks old.     The name ‘mute’ derives from it being less vocal than other swan species. It is recognisable by its pronounced knob [...]

  • Radford Castle - 1917

    The Radford Story – My Childhood Days at Radford by Colin Stephenson

    March 28, 2011 | 8 Comments | More

    These are the memoirs of Colin Stephenson and his sister Sheila Coaker who were brought up living in Radford Castle. Colin was seventy seven when he wrote these words, he has now sadly passed on.

    My earliest memories of Radford Castle are taken from the time when my parents moved in as Tenants and Gatekeeper in 1931 when I was about eighteen months ‘ old, along with my ten year old half- sister Edna and half-brother Roy aged twelve. Their mother had died at the age of thirty two and my father was a widower when he married my mother.

  • Perspective View

    Barratt Homes Hooe Quarry Proposal V3

    March 25, 2011 | 1 Comment | More

    In case you missed it here are the latest Proposals (masterplan V3) from the Barratt Homes Exhibituion from the 24th March 2011.

    See the full information display boards from the exibition.

    We Shall also be adding a Hooe Quarry Petition to this website watch this space…

History

1

Radford Cottages and The Oldest Man in Oreston!

Fond memories of Hooe Lake and Radford by Alison Hanson… My great grandad, Caleb Carder (d.1970 aged 94) had an allotment on the left  hilside above radford quarry in Lower Saltram, Radford, just before what is now Knigfisher Quay. The access to it was a pot-holed gravel path and on the opposite side another chap [...]

November 9, 2011 | 1 Comment More
The Eastern Hulks of Hooe Lake, Plymouth

The Eastern Hulks of Hooe Lake, Plymouth

The remains of hulks, or abandoned watercraft, located along the river edge and the intertidal zone are an important component of our maritime past. Often they represent the only remains of types of boats that are no longer afloat or very rare. In this article we look at those at the eastern end of the Lake

November 8, 2011 | 3 Comments More
Hooe Lake Quarry 1954

Hooe Quarry – F.J. Moore, Lime & Stone Merchant

My great, great grandfather Frederick John Moore established a quarrying firm in Plymouth during the early part of the last century (F J Moore).  During the late 1950′s my grandfather also Frederick Moore sold the family firm to English China Clays (ECC). One of the many quarries that they operated in the Plymouth area was [...]

November 4, 2011 | 0 Comments More

Wildlife

Early Marsh Orchid

199 Plant Species Recorded at Hooe Quarry

A total of 199 higher plant species were recorded on the Hooe Quarry site and the fore shore (181 native species, 18 non-native). The site was considered to have a relatively high botanical diversity. Amongst the many notable species of which one in particular the Toadflax-leaved St. John’s-wort exists in only 17 sites in England. All [...]

February 12, 2012 | 2 Comments More
Mute Swans and their six Cygnets on Hooe Lake – 2011

Mute Swans and their six Cygnets on Hooe Lake – 2011

Radford Duck Ponds welcomed 6 new cygnets that hatched sometime between Friday night and Saturday the 7th of May 2011.  They are pictured here newly hatched and then at approximately 6 weeks old.     The name ‘mute’ derives from it being less vocal than other swan species. It is recognisable by its pronounced knob [...]

July 22, 2011 | 4 Comments More
Nuthatch Clearing Its nest

Nuthatch clearing nest & feeding it’s chicks

I have been watching this nuthatch site at the Radford Dip Reserve for around three years this is the closest I have come so far in trying to record a good image or two of their habits. After going inside to feed the chicks the parents will bring the food waste out and dispose of [...]

May 9, 2011 | 0 Comments More

Environmental & Planning

Demolition of Seawings Restaurant – Planning Application 11/01980/FUL

Demolition of Seawings Restaurant – Planning Application 11/01980/FUL

Planning application has been applied for the demolition of the Seawings Restaurant (at the beginning of Mount Batten Breakwater) to be replaced by a 5 storey apartment block and a commercial unit. Planning Application 11/01980/FUL Details Demolition of existing, vacant, residential and restaurant building and erection of new build, mixed use building comprising of 10 residential [...]

January 25, 2012 | 15 Comments More
Hooe Quarry Latest! Committee and Public Planning Meeting

Hooe Quarry Latest! Committee and Public Planning Meeting

Notification of Proposed Development:  Application No: 11/01250/FUL Site: LAND AT BARTON ROAD, HOOE LAKE, PLYMSTOCK, Development: Re-development of site by erection of 222 new dwellings, provision of new public open space, ancillary access roads, improvements to Barton Road and associated works. The above application will be considered by the Planning Committee on Thursday 12 January [...]

January 3, 2012 | 1 Comment More
Hooe Quarry Oil Tank Demolition

Demolition of Hooe Quarry Oil Tanks

Working mostly at night the Tor drilling company turn up in force.   See the post on the quarry building in operation during the 1950′s – Hooe Quarry Pictures courtesey of Doug!

November 8, 2011 | 0 Comments More

Local Group News

Consultation Exhibition for Boston’s Boatyard Plan

Consultation Exhibition for Boston’s Boatyard Plan

Cavanna Homes will be holding a ‘Consultation Exhibition’ meeting to showcase the plan for 53 houses in the former Bostons’ Boatyard will be open for visitors on Wednesday the 15th February 2012 between 14:00 – 18:30 hours. Two planning applications for 222 homes had previously been refused.  

February 12, 2012 | 0 Comments More
Plymouth Tree Partnership Newsletter – January 2012

Plymouth Tree Partnership Newsletter – January 2012

Dear Tree Wardens and Friends, What have Kneele Gardens, Longfield Place, Pemros Road, St Paul’s School, Austin Farm School, Victoria Road School, Mill Ford School, Bickleigh Down School, St Peter’s School, High Street School, Drake Circus, Devonport Park, Moor View Park and Neswick Playground got in common?   They are all places where local initiative led [...]

January 26, 2012 | 0 Comments More
Turnchapel and Mountbatten Residents Association Minutes – 22nd September 2011

Turnchapel and Mountbatten Residents Association Minutes – 22nd September 2011

Chairman: Mr J.E. Wheeler Attendance: 21 people. Apologies on behalf of the following:   Mr Brian Cooper, Mrs Yvonne Featherstone, Cllr Wendy Foster. Matters Arising Clovelly Boatyard – Chairman confirmed that the application has been withdrawn. Credit given to the efforts of the residents and Cllr leaves, both of whom played a significant part in maintaining [...]

November 20, 2011 | 0 Comments More

Other Recent Posts

Proposal to build 225 houses in Hooe Quarry

Proposal to build 225 houses in Hooe Quarry

Barratt Homes will shortly be applying for planning permission to build approximately 225 houses (original 300) in Hooe Quarry off Barton Road. This development will be situated in Hooe Quarry just across the water from The Old Wharf estate. Each affordable home will have two allocated car parking spaces within each property, plus 10 percent extra parking for visitors. There will be no parking on Barton Road. The land is currently owned by Hooelake Developments.

March 19, 2011 | 11 Comments More
Ugly bird in nest

Hooe Quarry Clearing Activity – Legality?

Are you aware of what has been happening in Hooe Quarry over the past week or so? We have been made aware of recent activity in Hooe Quarry that may be detrimental to the nesting bird population and illegal. It would appear that the owner of the site has contracted people to cut back the [...]

March 3, 2011 | 3 Comments More
Turnchapel Boatyard Proposal

Turnchapel Boatyard Site Application for 6 houses 11-00656-CAC

Following the sale of the former Turnchapel boatyard in August 2010, a planning proposal to develop the site with 6 houses has been applied for.  The site is located to the north west of Turnchapel Village.       Full details on the planning application can be found here http://www.plymouth.gov.uk/planningdoc-2?appno=11-00656-CAC    

July 24, 2011 | 0 Comments More

Kingfisher Quay Members AGM

The Kingfisher Quay Members AGM Meeting will be held on Saturday 23rd July @12 noon, at Plymouth Yacht club

June 24, 2011 | 0 Comments More
Kingfisher Quay Minutes – Friday 3 June 2011

Kingfisher Quay Minutes – Friday 3 June 2011

Kingfisher Quay Residents Association Meeting – Friday 3 June 2011

June 24, 2011 | 2 Comments More
Radford Park Arboretum Walk and Talk

Radford Park Arboretum Walk and Talk

Kevin Warley The Radford Park Arboretum Co-ordinator is holding a Walk and Coffee Evening on Tuesday, 10th May, 2011, starting at 6.30pm at the Beckly Centre. Everybody is welcome. Tickets available on the door at £2. Membership subscriptions for the Friends of the Arboretum are now due at £2 per member.

The evening starts with a guided walk around Radford Park Arboretum to show what is currently flowering, new planting, and other points of interest, etc., followed by light refreshments in the Beckly Centre. Mayers Way, Radford Dip, Hooe Road, Plymstock, Plymouth.

The Arboretum was awarded ‘ Winner’ of the Royal Horticultural Society ‘Britain in Bloom’ Community Award for 2008 and 2009.

May 2, 2011 | 1 Comment More

Radford Walk and Talk – Part II

With thanks to Kevin Warley for his Radford ‘Walk and Talk’ of the 5th December 2009. The following notes are provided for the purpose of interest only, as recalled by a member of the group attending the walk. Accuracy cannot be guaranteed. Radford House: The group walked over to the main site of where Radford [...]

March 28, 2011 | 1 Comment More
Voice Your Opinions - Deadline is 30th March 2011

Turnchapel, Hooe & Oreston neighbourhood development plan – Deadline 30th March!

It’s time to get involved and have your say regarding a document on the Sustainable Neighbourhood Development Plan for Turnchapel, Hooe and Oreston. This document outlines Plymouth County Councils assesment of the area and plans for development. There is a deadline of the 30th March 2011 to have your say and comments on the proposals for the area. An important part of PCC Local Development Framework (LDF) is making sure that everyone has an opportunity to get involved. Part of the document relates to…

March 16, 2011 | 10 Comments More
Do Buzzards Eat Chickens?

Do Buzzards Eat Chickens?

Following on from the sad post about the Buzzard and a trip to Plymouth Museum here are the photo’s of the Buzzard that came swooping around us and the garden.  The Buzzard stayed around for a good 10-15 minutes just looking at us and the chickens!  I don’t know if it too was hungry or [...]

March 2, 2011 | 1 Comment More
Hooe Lake Wrecks Inspiring Art & Memories

Hooelake hulks & wrecks inspire art and memories!

Whilst perusing the pictures at the Plymouth Society of Artists art exhibition in Plymouth Museum Art galleries recently, I came across a pleasing painting of one of the old rotting hulks lying in Hooe Lake. The painting brought back childhood memories of the 50’s when around the age of 14yrs ( I’m now 66) the most rebellious thing I ever did was to steal two cigarettes from my mother’s pack, and with a friend, paddled out to the rotting barges towards the middle…

February 28, 2011 | 4 Comments More