Plymouth 23508 225659999 2008-07-14T19:52:13Z Stevebritgimp 856149 /* Religion */ Be a bit more specific about the Scientology office (this should have been an [[Anonymous]] edit(!)), also noticed Buddhist place near Mutley {{two other uses|the city in England|the town in the U.S. state of Massachusetts|Plymouth, Massachusetts}} {{Infobox Settlement |name =Plymouth |nickname =Spirit of Discovery |settlement_type =[[Unitary Authority]] |motto =''Turris fortissima est nomen Jehova''</br><small>"The name of Jehova is the strongest tower"</small> |image_skyline =Plymouth Hoe.jpg |imagesize =280px |image_caption =View of Plymouth Hoe Waterfront |image_blank_emblem =PlymouthCoatArms.jpg |blank_emblem_type =City Council's Coat of Arms |blank_emblem_size =227px |image_map =EnglandPlymouth.png |mapsize =200px |map_caption =Plymouth shown within [[Devon]] and [[England]] |subdivision_type =[[List of sovereign states|Sovereign state]] |subdivision_name =[[United Kingdom]] |subdivision_type1 =[[Constituent country]] |subdivision_name1 =[[England]] |subdivision_type3 =[[Regions of England|Region]] |subdivision_name3 =[[South West England]] |government_type =City Council |leader_title =Lord Mayor |leader_name =Brian Vincent |leader_title1 =HQ |leader_name1 =civic centre building |leader_title2 =Wards |leader_name2 =&nbsp;20 |leader_title3 =[[Parliament of the United Kingdom|UK Parliament]] |leader_name3 =[[Plymouth Sutton (UK Parliament constituency)|Plymouth Sutton]]<br>[[South West Devon (UK Parliament constituency)|South West Devon]]<br>[[Plymouth Devonport (UK Parliament constituency)|Plymouth Devonport]] |leader_title4 =[[European Parliament]] |leader_name4 =[[South West England (European Parliament constituency)|South West England]] |established_title =[[City status in the United Kingdom|City status]] |established_date =1928 |established_title1 =[[Unitary Authority]] |established_date1 =1998 |area_total_km2 =80 |elevation_m =16 |elevation_max_m =165 |elevation_min_m =0 |population_as_of =2005 est. |population_total =246,100 |population_density_km2 =3,085 |population_density_sq_mi=7,989 ||timezone =[[Greenwich Mean Time|GMT]] |utc_offset =0 |timezone_DST =[[British Summer Time|BST]] |utc_offset_DST =+1 |latd=50 |latm=22 |lats=17 |latNS=N |longd=4 |longm=08 |longs=33 |longEW=W |postal_code_type =[[Postal codes in the United Kingdom|Postcode district]] |postal_code =[[PL postcode area|PL1-9]] |website =[http://www.plymouth.gov.uk www.plymouth.gov.uk] }} '''Plymouth''' ({{Audio-IPA|lang=UK English|En-uk-Plymouth.ogg|ˈplɪməθ}}) is a city and [[unitary authority]] in [[Devon]], [[England]], about {{convert|190|mi}} south west of [[London]]. It is built between the mouths of the rivers [[River Plym|Plym]] and [[River Tamar|Tamar]], where they join [[Plymouth Sound]]. Since 1967 the unitary authority of Plymouth includes the suburbs of [[Plympton]] and [[Plymstock]], which are on the other side of the [[River Plym|Plym]]. Plymouth’s history goes back to the [[Bronze Age]], when its first settlement at [[Mount Batten]] grew. It continued to grow as a trading post for the [[Roman Empire]], until the more prosperous settlement of Sutton, the current Plymouth, surpassed it. In 1620 the [[Pilgrim Fathers]] left Plymouth for the [[New World]], establishing the [[Plymouth Colony|first colony]] of the [[United States of America]]. During the [[English Civil War]] the town was held by the [[Roundhead|Parliamentarians]] and was besieged between 1642 and 1646. Throughout the [[Industrial Revolution]] Plymouth grew as a major shipping port, handling imports and passengers from the [[Americas]] and the construction of ships, ranging from small fishing boats to [[battleships]] for the [[Royal Navy]]. This later led to its targeting and partial destruction during [[World War Two]], an act known as the [[Plymouth Blitz]]. After the war the city centre was completely rebuilt. Today the city is home to nearly 250,000 people, making it the 15th most populous city in [[England]]. It has its own city council and is represented nationally by three [[Member of Parliament#United Kingdom|MPs]]. Plymouth’s economy is still strongly influenced by shipbuilding, but has since the 1990s become a more service-based economy with the 11th largest university in the [[United Kingdom]]. Its naval base, [[HMNB Devonport]] is the largest operational naval base in Western Europe.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/server/show/nav.3109|title=HMNB Devonport|work=The [[Royal Navy]]|accessdate=2007-10-18}}</ref> Plymouth has ferry links to [[France]] and [[Spain]] and an airport with national services. == History == {{main|History of Plymouth}} ===Early history=== [[Upper Palaeolithic]] deposits, including bones of [[Homo sapiens]], have been found in local caves,<ref>{{cite book |author=Andrew T. Chamberlain, Keith W. Ray, Charlotte Henderson, Richard Welton Fisher |title=A Catalogue of Quaternary Fossil-bearing Cave Sites in the Plymouth Area |publisher=[[Royal Albert Memorial Museum]] |year=1994 |isbn=1855223457 |accessdate=2008-06-22 }}</ref> and artefacts dating from the [[Bronze Age]] to the Middle [[Iron Age]] have been found at [[Mount Batten]] showing that it was one of the main trading ports of the country at that time.<ref>{{cite book |last=Cunliffe |first=Barry |editor=Malcolm Todd |title=A Companion to Roman Britain |chapter=Britain and the Continent:Networks of Interaction |url=http://books.google.com/books?id=SYMFtWb-DYQC&printsec=frontcover |year=2004 |pages=3 |publisher=[[Blackwell Publishing]] |accessdate=2008-06-23 |isbn=0631218238 }}</ref> Meanwhile the port of [[Plympton]], further up the [[River Plym]] than the current Plymouth, was also trading by sea. But the river soon silted up and the mariners and merchants settled at the current day [[Barbican, Plymouth|Barbican]] near the river mouth. At the time this village was called [[Sutton]], meaning ''south town'' in Saxon.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.plymouth.gov.uk/homepage/creativityandculture/heritageandhistory/localhistory.htm |title=The early history of Plymouth |publisher=Plymouth City Council |accessdate=2008-06-23 }}</ref> The name ''Plymouth'', a back-formation from ''Plympton'' ("Plum-tree town")<ref>{{cite book |title=The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Place-names |author=Eilert Ekwall |publisher=OUP |location=Oxford [Eng.] |year=1981 |pages=369 |isbn=0 19 869103 3 }}</ref>, was first mentioned in a [[Pipe Rolls|Pipe Roll]] of 1211.<ref>[http://www.plymouthdata.info/A%20History.htm Plymouthdata.info] attributes this statement to Crispin Gill.</ref> During the [[Hundred Years' War]] a French attack (1340) burned a manor house and took some prisoners, but failed to get into the town.<ref>{{cite book|last=Sumption|first=Jonathan|title=The Hundred Years War: Trial by Battle|publisher=[[University of Pennsylvania Press]]|date=1999|pages=347|chapter=Sluys and Tournai: The War of the Alberts|isbn=0812216555|url=http://books.google.com/books?id=V6vghfDY7loC&printsec=frontcover#PRA2-PA347,M1|accessdate=2008-06-29}}</ref> In 1403 the town was burned by [[Breton people|Breton raiders]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.devon.gov.uk/localstudies/100323/1.html|title=Devon timeline|publisher=[[Devon]] County Council|accessdate=2008-06-29}}</ref> A series of fortifications were built in the Tudor and Elizabethan era which include the four round towers featured on the city [[coat of arms]]; the remains of two of these can still be found at [[Mount Batten]] and at Sutton Pool below the Royal Citadel.<ref>{{cite book|last=Jewitt|first=Llewellynn Frederick|title=A history of Plymouth|publisher=[[University of Oxford|Oxford University]]|year=1873|pages=648|accessdate=2008-07-04}}</ref> === Renaissance Age === [[Image:Detail of map of Plymouth, Devon circa 1600.PNG|right|thumb|A sketch of Plymouth circa. 1600]] [[Image:Union Street before World War II.jpg|thumb|right|[[Union Street, Plymouth|Union Street]] before 1941 showing the trams that used to run through the city]] [[Image:Plymouth, 1941 (Guildhall and St Andrews).jpg|thumb|right|The debris scattered on the ground after an air attack by the [[Germans]] in 1941]] During the 16th century, Plymouth was the home port for successful maritime traders, among them [[Sir John Hawkins]], who led England's first foray into the [[slave trade]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/pathways/blackhistory/early_times/adventurers.htm|title=Adventurers and Slavers|publisher=[[The National Archives]]|accessdate=2007-10-13}}</ref> According to an enduring national myth, Sir [[Francis Drake]] insisted on completing his game of [[bowls]] on the [[Plymouth Hoe|Hoe]] before engaging the [[Spanish Armada]] in 1588. In 1620 the [[Pilgrim Fathers]] set sail for the [[New World]] from Plymouth, establishing the [[Plymouth Colony|first colony]] of the [[United States of America]].<ref>{{cite book|last=Stratton|first=Eugene Aubrey|title=Plymouth Colony, Its History & People, 1620-1691|publisher=Ancestry Publishing|year=1986|isbn=0916489183|url=http://books.google.com/books?id=17zCU76ZtH0C&printsec=frontcover|accessdate=2008-07-05}}</ref> During the [[English Civil War]] Plymouth sided with the [[Roundhead|Parliamentarian]]s and was besieged for almost four years by the [[Cavalier|Royalists]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/insideout/southwest/series2/siege_civil_war_plymouth.shtml|title=Siege|publisher=The [[BBC]]|date=2003-01-06|accessdate=2008-07-06}}</ref> Construction of [[Royal Citadel, Plymouth|the Royal Citadel]] began in 1665, after [[the Restoration]]; it was armed with cannon facing both out to sea and into the town, rumoured to be a reminder to residents not to oppose [[the Crown]].<ref name="citadel">{{cite web|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/devon/content/articles/2005/06/07/coast05walks_stage3_feature.shtml|title=Coast Walks: Point 3 - The Citadel|date=2008-01-25|publisher=The [[BBC]]|accessdate=2008-07-05}}</ref> ===Rise of naval power=== In the 18th century new houses were built near the dock, called Plymouth Dock at the time,<ref>{{cite book|last=Carrington|first=Henry Edmund|title=The Plymouth and Devonport guide|publisher=[[University of Oxford|Oxford University]]|year=1828|pages=1|url=http://books.google.com/books?id=Ve4GAAAAQAAJ&printsec=titlepage|accessdate=2008-07-05}}</ref> and a new town grew up. Several new docks were built in 1727, 1762 and in 1793. The dockyard dominated industry in Plymouth in the 18th century, but other industries such as: [[Weaving|wool weaving]], [[Leather production processes|leather]], [[brewing]] and [[Commercial fishing|fishing]] remained important. Plymouth continued to trade with the [[Caribbean|West Indies]] and the [[European colonization of the Americas|American colonies]] and also traded with the [[Mediterranean]]. [[Cereal|Grain]] and [[coal]] were imported by sea from other parts of [[United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland|Britain]] into Plymouth and [[tin]] was exported. The first [[theatre]] in Plymouth and a naval [[hospital]] was built in 1762 and ten years later it was followed by the town's first [[bank]] 1772 and another ten years later the Marine [[barracks]] were built in [[Stonehouse, Plymouth|Stonehouse]]. The first ferry to [[Torpoint]] began operating in 1791, which still operates today and in 1797 a military [[hospital]] was built by Stonehouse Creek.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.localhistories.org/plymouth.html|title=A short history of Plymouth - Plymouth in the 18th century|publisher=World History Encyclopedia|first=Tim|last=Lambert|accessdate=2008-06-22}}</ref> After his defeat at the [[Battle of Waterloo]] in 1815, [[Napoleon Bonaparte]] was brought to Plymouth aboard [[HMS Bellerophon (1786)|HMS ''Bellerophon'']] which remained in Plymouth Sound for two weeks before his exile to [[St Helena]]. The [[Three Towns]] enjoyed some prosperity during the late eighteenth and early nineteenth century and were enriched by a series of neo-classical urban developments designed by London architect [[John Foulston]].<ref name="pdfoul">{{cite web|url=http://www.plymouthdata.info/PP-Foulston.htm|title=Plymouth, John Foulston|work=Plymouth Data|accessdate=2008-05-16}}</ref> Foulston was important for the town and was responsible for several grand public buildings, many now destroyed, including the Athenaeum, the Theatre Royal and Royal Hotel, and much of [[Union Street, Plymouth|Union Street]].<ref name="pdfoul"/> ===Twentieth Century=== The city was heavily bombed by the [[Luftwaffe]] during the [[Second World War]] in a series of raids known as the [[Plymouth Blitz]]. Although the dockyards were the principal targets, much of the city centre and over 3,700 houses were completely destroyed and more than 1,000 civilians lost their lives.<ref name="gillww2">{{cite book| title=Plymouth. A New History| last=Gill| first=Crispin| date=1993| pages=259-262| publisher=Devon Books| isbn=0-86114-882-7}}</ref> The redevelopment of the city was planned by [[Patrick Abercrombie|Sir Patrick Abercrombie]]<ref>Gould, Jeremy : ''Architecture and the Plan for Plymouth: The Legacy of a British City'', Architectural Review March 2007</ref> and by 1964 over 20,000 new homes had been built, but despite this in 1971 over ten percent of the houses in Plymouth were still occupied by more than one family.<ref name="gillredev"/> Devonport Dockyard was kept busy for many years refitting aircraft carriers such as the ''[[HMS Ark Royal (R09)|Ark Royal]]''. By the time this work ended in the late 1970s the nuclear submarine base was operational. The army had substantially left the city by 1971, with barracks pulled down in the 1960s,<ref name="gillredev"/> however the city has become home to more [[Royal Marines]].<ref name="gillredev"/> == Governance == === Local government history === In 1914 the [[county borough]]s of Plymouth and [[Devonport, Devon|Devonport]], and the [[urban district]] of [[Stonehouse, Plymouth|East Stonehouse]] merged to form a single county borough of Plymouth. This was supported by the [[War Office]], who were concerned that having three different local councils would complicate matters in time of war. Collectively they were referred to as "[[Three Towns|The Three Towns]]".<ref>''Three Towns Amalgamation''. [[The Times]] February 9, 1914.</ref> A [[Provisional Order|provisional order]] was made on May 2 1914, to come into effect in November.<ref>''Union of Plymouth and Devonport.'' [[The Times]]. 4 May, 1914.</ref> Plymouth was granted [[City status in the United Kingdom|city status]] in 1928.<ref>''The City of Plymouth''. [[The Times]]. 18 October, 1928.</ref> The city's boundaries were extended in the mid-1930s and further expanded in 1967 to include the town of [[Plympton]] and the parish of [[Plymstock]]. Plymouth lobbied for further boundary extensions throughout the post-war period, proposing to annex [[Saltash]] and [[Torpoint]] on the other side of the [[River Tamar|Tamar]] to the [[Local Government Boundary Commission (1945 - 1949)|Local Government Boundary Commission]]. The 1971 [[Local Government Act 1972|Local Government White Paper]] proposed abolishing county boroughs, which would have left Plymouth, a town of 250,000 people, being administered from a council based at the smaller [[Exeter]], on the other side of the county. This led to Plymouth lobbying for the creation of a Tamarside county, to include Plymouth, [[Torpoint]], [[Saltash]], and the rural [[hinterland]]. The campaign was not successful, and Plymouth ceased to be a county borough on 1 April 1974 with responsibility for education, social services, highways and libraries transferred to Devon County Council. All powers returned when the city become a [[unitary authority]] on 1 April 1998 under recommendations of the [[Local Government Commission for England (1992)|Banham Commission]]. === City Council === [[Image:Plymouth City Council logo.gif|100px|thumb|right|The current logo used by Plymouth City Council]] [[Image:Plymouth Civic Centre.jpg|thumb|rigt|The controversial civic centre building behind the Royal Theatre car park]] The City of Plymouth is divided into 20 [[Ward (politics)|wards]], 17 of which elect three [[councillor]]s and the other three electing two councillors, making up a total council of 57.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.plymouth.gov.uk/homepage/councilanddemocracy.htm|title=Council and democracy|publisher=Plymouth City Council|accessdate=2008-02-15}}</ref> Councillors are also known as Members of the Council and usually stand for election as members of national political parties. Full local elections are held every four years with elections for one third of Council seats being held each intervening year; the total [[electorate]] for Plymouth was 184,956 in December 2003. The [[United Kingdom local elections, 2006|local election of May 2006]] resulted in a political composition of 26 [[Labour Party (UK)|Labour]] and 31 [[Conservative Party (UK)|Conservative]] councillors. Council sessions have a Chairman and Vice-Chairman, who are entitled [[Lord Mayor]] and Deputy Lord Mayor respectively. The Lord Mayor also has a ceremonial role and historical regalia. The Leader of the Council has day to day power which is exercised as Chairman of the Cabinet and there is a leader of each political group. The Lord Mayor is elected annually in May;<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.plymouth.gov.uk/homepage/councilanddemocracy/lordmayoralty.htm|title=Lord Mayoralty| publisher =Plymouth City Council|accessdate=2008-05-20}}</ref> as at May 2008 Brian Vincent holds the position for the [[Labour Party (UK)|Labour Party]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.thisisplymouth.co.uk/displayNode.jsp?nodeId=133464&command=displayContent&sourceNode=133158&contentPK=20647375&folderPk=78031&pNodeId=133174|title=Lord Mayor bats 'The labour curse'|work=[[The Herald (Plymouth Evening Herald)|The Herald]]|date=2008-05-17|accessdate=2008-06-07}}</ref> The dignity of Lord Mayor was granted in 1935, previously the office was simply Mayor – there have been over 540 holders of the office since its establishment in 1439. The Lord Mayor's [[official residence]] is 3 Elliot Terrace, located on [[Plymouth Hoe|the Hoe]]. Once a home of [[Waldorf Astor, 2nd Viscount Astor|Waldorf]] and [[Nancy Astor, Viscountess Astor|Nancy Astor]], it was given by Lady Astor to the City of Plymouth as an official residence for future Lord Mayors and is also used today for civic hospitality, as lodgings for visiting dignitaries and High Court judges.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.plymouth.gov.uk/elliotterrace|title=Elliot Terrace| publisher =Plymouth City Council|accessdate=2008-02-16}}</ref> The Civic Centre municipal office building in Armada Way became a [[listed building]] in June 2007 because of its quality and period features,<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/devon/6260122.stm|title=City 'should save civic centre'|publisher=The [[BBC]]|date=2007-07-02|accessdate=2008-06-08}}</ref> but has become the centre of a controversy as the council disagrees.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.plymouth.gov.uk/civiccentrereasons|title=10 reasons why the Council feels the Civic Centre should not be listed|publisher=Plymouth City Council|accessdate=2007-10-18}}</ref> In September 2007 the city council announced its application to demolish the site. In Parliament, Plymouth is represented by the three constituencies of [[Plymouth Devonport (UK Parliament constituency)|Plymouth Devonport]], [[Plymouth Sutton (UK Parliament constituency)|Plymouth Sutton]] and [[Devon South West (UK Parliament constituency)|Southwest Devon]]. As of the [[United Kingdom general election, 2005|2005 General Election]] the two former constituencies are held by Labour MPs [[Alison Seabeck]] and [[Linda Gilroy]] respectively with the latter held by Conservative MP [[Gary Streeter]]. The city is part of [[South West England (European Parliament constituency)|South West England and Gibraltar]] in the [[European parliament]]. Plymouth City Council is formally twinned with:<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.plymouth.gov.uk/homepage/communityandliving/twintowns.htm|title=Twin towns|publisher=Plymouth City Council|accessdate=2008-03-01}}</ref> *{{flagicon|France}} [[Brest, France|Brest]], [[Brittany]], [[France]] (twinned 1963) *{{flagicon|Poland}} [[Gdynia]], [[Pomeranian Voivodeship|Pomeranian Province]], [[Poland]] (twinned 1976) *{{flagicon|Russia}} [[Novorossiysk]], [[Krasnodar Krai]], [[Russia]] (twinned 1990) *{{flagicon|Spain}} [[San Sebastián]], [[Basque Country (autonomous community)|Basque Country]], [[Spain]] (twinned 1990) *{{flagicon|United States}} {{USCity|Plymouth|Massachusetts}}, [[United States]] (twinned 2001) The city also maintains a link with: *{{flagicon|Ghana}} [[Sekondi-Takoradi]], [[Western Region (Ghana)|Western Region]], [[Ghana]] and has educational and economic links with: *{{flagicon|China}} [[Jiaxing]], [[Zhejiang province]], [[China]] (since 2006) ==Geography== {{seealso|Places in Plymouth}} [[Image:Plymouth Sound.jpg|thumb|right|View of [[Plymouth Sound]] with [[Drake's Island]] in the centre]] Plymouth lies between the [[River Plym]] to the east and the [[River Tamar]] to the west; both rivers flow into the natural harbour of [[Plymouth Sound]]. The River Tamar forms the county boundary between Devon and Cornwall and its estuary forms the [[Hamoaze]] on which is sited [[HMNB Devonport|Devonport Dockyard]].<ref name="tamar">{{cite web|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/devon/discovering/rivers/tamar.shtml|title=Devon's rivers: The Tamar|date=2008-02-06|publisher=The [[BBC]]|accessdate=2008-07-08}}</ref> Plymouth Sound is protected from the sea by the [[Plymouth Breakwater]], in use since 1814.<ref>{{cite book|last=Otter|first=R. A.|title=Civil Engineering Heritage: Southern England|publisher=Thomas Telford|year=1994|pages=48|chapter=The Tamar Valley and Plymouth|isbn=0727719718|url=http://books.google.com/books?id=HG-l2kpKPFUC&printsec=frontcover#PPA48,M1|accessdate=2008-07-08}}</ref> In the Sound is [[Drake's Island]] which is seen from [[Plymouth Hoe]], a flat public area on top of [[limestone]] cliffs.<ref>{{cite book|publisher=Devonshire Association for the Advancement of Science|title=Report and Transactions|year=1877|volume=9|pages=426|url=http://books.google.com/books?id=Q1QDAAAAMAAJ&q=Plymouth+Hoe+limestone&dq=Plymouth+Hoe+limestone&pgis=1|accessdate=2008-07-11}}</ref> The [[Unitary Authority]] of Plymouth is {{convert|79.78|km2}}<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.neighbourhood.statistics.gov.uk/dissemination/LeadTableView.do?a=3&b=276837&c=Plymouth&d=13&e=16&g=401185&i=1001x1003x1006&k=Area&m=0&r=1&s=1213981022287&enc=1&domainId=13&dsFamilyId=789|title=Population Density|publisher=The [[Office for National Statistics]]|work=[[United Kingdom Census 2001|Census 2001]]|accessdate=2008-06-20}}</ref> The River Plym which flows off [[Dartmoor]] to the north east forms a smaller estuary to the east of the city; the mouth of this estuary is called [[Cattewater]]. On its south bank lies the outcrop of [[Mount Batten]], the earliest-known settlement in the area; and on its north bank was the manor of Sutton which grew to form the present day city. <!-- Need more here about land use, built environment, geology, etc. See WP:UKCITIES --> In 1945 [[Patrick Abercrombie|Sir Patrick Abercrombie's]] 1943 ''[[Plan for Plymouth]]'' was published to rebuild the city. It called for the destruction of the few remaining pre-War buildings in the city centre and their replacement with wide, modern [[boulevards]] aligned east-west linked by a grand north-south [[avenue]] ([[Armada Way]]) linking the railway station with Plymouth Hoe.<ref>Gould, Jeremy : ''Architecture and the Plan for Plymouth: The Legacy of a British City'', Architectural Review March 2007</ref> The Plan had to deal not only with the effects of the War, but also the pre-war defects of the city: much of the housing and many narrow streets were overcrowded. The main concern was for housing, and many [[prefab]]s were built by 1946, followed by over a thousand permanent [[council house]]s built each year from 1951–1957. By 1964 over 20,000 new homes had been built, more than 13,500 of them permanent council homes and 853 built by the [[Admiralty]]. To compensate for the large scale of housing Plymouth has a number of public parks, the largest of which is [[Central Park, Plymouth|Central Park]]. Other sizeable green spaces include [[Victoria Park, Millbridge, Plymouth|Victoria Park]], [[Lipson|Freedom Fields Park]], Alexandra Park, and significantly, the Hoe. Before the 19th century two [[leat]]s were built in order to provide drinking water for the town. They carried water from [[Dartmoor]] all the way down to Plymouth. [[Drake's Leat]] also known as Plymouth Leat, was a watercourse constructed to tap the [[River Meavy]]. It was one of the first municipal water supplies in the country. The [[Devonport Leat]] was constructed in the [[1790s]] to carry fresh drinking water to the expanding dockyards at [[Devonport, Devon|Devonport]]. It is fed by three Dartmoor rivers: The West [[River Dart|Dart]], The Cowsic and The Blackabrook. It was originally designed to carry water all the way to Devonport Dockyard but has since been shortened and now carries water to [[Burrator Reservoir]] which feeds most of the water supply of Plymouth. Dartmoor [[granite]] was used to construct the water channel, as well as a small [[aqueduct]] and a tunnel. {{climate chart|Plymouth<ref name="hku">{{cite web|url=http://www.weather.gov.hk/wxinfo/climat/world/eng/europe/uk/plymouth_e.htm|title=Climatological Normals of Plymouth - 1961-1990|publisher=The [[Hong Kong Observatory]]|work= Climatological Information for United Kingdom and Ireland|accessdate=2008-06-09}}</ref> |3.4|8.5|114 |3.2|8.3|92 |4.1|9.8|87 |5.5|12|59 |8.3|14.8|61 |11.0|17.6|57 |12.8|19.5|55 |12.8|19.3|69 |11.2|17.5|76 |9.2|14.7|95 |5.7|11.3|101 |4.4|9.6|116 |float=right |clear=both }} === Climate === Along with the rest of [[South West England]], Plymouth has a temperate climate which is generally wetter and milder than the rest of England. The annual mean temperature is approximately {{convert|11|°C|°F|0|lk=on}} and shows a seasonal and a [[Diurnal motion|diurnal]] variation, but due to the modifying effect of the sea the range is less than in most other parts of the UK.<ref name="weather"/> February is the coldest month with mean minimum temperatures between {{convert|3|°C|°F|0}} and {{convert|4|°C|°F|0}}. July and August are the warmest months with mean daily maxima over {{convert|19|°C|°F|0}}.<ref name="hku"/> South West England has a favoured location with respect to the [[Azores]] high pressure when it extends its influence north-eastwards towards the UK, particularly in summer. Coastal areas have average annual sunshine totals over 1,600 hours.<ref name="weather"/> Rainfall tends to be associated with Atlantic [[Low pressure area|depressions]] or with convection. The Atlantic depressions are more vigorous in autumn and winter and most of the rain which falls in those seasons in the south-west is from this source. Average annual rainfall is around {{convert|980|mm|in|0}}. The number of days with snow falling is typically fewer than ten per winter. November to March have the highest mean wind speeds, with June to August having the lightest winds. The predominant wind direction is from the south-west.<ref name="weather">{{cite web | url=http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/climate/uk/location/southwestengland/index.html|title=About south-west England|publisher=The [[Met Office]]|accessdate=2006-05-28}}</ref> ==Demography== [[Image:Plymouth population graph.png|400px|right]] In 2005, Plymouth's population was estimated at 246,100 by Plymouth City Council;<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.plymouth.gov.uk/population2005|title=Plymouth’s population 2005|publisher=Plymouth City Council|accessdate=2008-02-14}}</ref> that's 5,380 more people than that of the [[United Kingdom Census 2001|last census]] from 2001, which indicated that Plymouth had a population of 240,720.<ref name="census">{{cite web|url=http://www.statistics.gov.uk/census2001/profiles/00HG-A.asp|title=Plymouth UA|accessdate=2008-02-15|work=[[United Kingdom Census 2001|Census 2001]]|publisher=The [[Office for National Statistics]]}}</ref> The average household size was 2.3 persons.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.plymouth.gov.uk/homepage/communityandliving/communityinformation/factsandfigures.htm|title=Facts and figures|publisher=Plymouth City Council|accessdate=2008-02-14}}</ref> To the right is a graph showing the population change of the city since 1801. The population rose rapidly during the second half of the 19th century. The decline of over 1.6% from 1931 to 1951, including the period of World War II, is notable. At the time of the [[United Kingdom Census 2001|2001 UK census]], the ethnic composition of Plymouth's population was 98.4% White, with the largest minority ethnic group being Chinese at 0.3%. In terms of religion, 73.6% of the population are [[Christian]] with all other religions represented by less than 0.5% each. The number of people without a religion is above the national average at 18.3%, with 7.1% not stating their religion.<ref name="census" /> == Economy == [[Image:Tinside pool.jpg|thumb|right|Tinside Pool]] Because of its coastal location, the economy of Plymouth has traditionally been linked to fishing and the armed forces, in particular the Navy and Devonport Dockyard. The long-term decline of these and other [[Heavy industry|heavy industries]] had a negative effect on the city's employment figures and caused diversification towards a service-based economy based on healthcare, [[Food|food and drink]], [[call centre]]s and tourism. Electronics, advanced engineering and [[boat building]] (notably [[Princess Yachts]]) still maintain a prime role, however. Between 1997 and 2007 unemployment decreased from 10.8% to 6.2%, but unemployment in the city still remains significantly above the national average.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nomisweb.co.uk/reports/lmp/la/2038431908/subreports/ea_time_series/report.aspx?|title=Unemployed (Model Based)|work=nomis website|publisher=The [[Office for National Statistics]]|accessdate=2008-06-28}}</ref> Thirty thousand university students together with teaching and support staff now make higher education a powerful influence. [[Image:Cornwall Street, Plymouth.jpg|thumb|upright|left|Cornwall Street, one of the main shopping streets]] Plymouth has a large, entirely post-war, shopping area in the city centre. <!-- this bit belongs under history -->Most of the shops had been destroyed in [[Plymouth Blitz|the Blitz]] and those that remained were cleared to enable a huge zoned reconstruction according to the 1943 plan.<ref name="gillredev">{{cite book| title=Plymouth. A New History| last=Gill| first=Crispin| date=1993| pages=262-267| publisher=Devon Books| isbn=0-86114-882-7}}</ref> As the new buildings were completed, shops returned from their temporary wartime premises and throughout the 1950s and 60s the city boasted one of the largest and modern shopping centres in the west of England. There was substantial pedestrianisation, more car parks, and a pannier market at the west end of the zone inside a now-listed [[listed building|grade II]] building that was completed in 1959.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.plymouth.gov.uk/pmhistoryofmarket|title=History of pannier market|publisher=Plymouth City Council|accessdate=2008-02-16}}</ref> In terms of retail floorspace Plymouth is ranked in the top five in the [[South West England|South West]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://southwest-ra.gov.uk/media/SWRA/RSS%20Documents/Technical%20Documents/Technical%20Work/FINAL_covering_note_Retail_Rankings_Update_Report_May_2007.pdf|title=Town Centre Performance & Retail Ranking Update, May 2007|publisher=South West Regional Board|accessdate=2008-02-16|format=PDF}}</ref> and 29th nationally.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.plymouth.gov.uk/homepage/communityandliving/citycentre/ccfactsandfigures.htm|title=Facts and figures|publisher=Plymouth City Council|accessdate=2008-02-20}}</ref> Plymouth was one of the first ten British cities to trial the new [[Business improvement district|Business Improvement District]] initiative.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ukbids.org/BIDS/index.php|title=Established BIDs|work=UKBIDs|accessdate=2008-02-16}}</ref> The city's tourism potential is mainly based on its historical connections, especially those related to [[Francis Drake]], the final sailing of the [[Mayflower]] from the [[Barbican, Plymouth|Barbican]], and the view from the [[Plymouth Hoe|Hoe]]. Although Plymouth has no pleasure beaches, [[Tinside Pool]], a large lido that was restored in 2003, is at the foot of the Hoe. The city does not have a great deal of tourist accommodation compared to districts like [[Torbay]]: in 2006 it had just over 6,000 bed spaces, compared to [[Torbay]]'s 44,000.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.devon.gov.uk/tourism_trends_in_devon_2006_final1.pdf|title=Tourism trends in Devon 2006|publisher=[[Devon]] County Council|accessdate=2008-02-20|format=PDF}}</ref> === Plymouth 2020 === [[Image:old drakes circus.jpg|thumb|right|The old Drake Circus centre was demolished in 2004]] Plymouth Council is currently undertaking a project of urban redevelopment, the largest since the city was rebuilt after the Second World War. The 'Vision for Plymouth' launched by the architect [[David Mackay (architect)|David Mackay]], backed by Plymouth City Council is set to see areas of the city centre demolished, redesigned and rebuilt by the year 2020.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.plymouth.gov.uk/plymouth2020/|title=Local Strategic Partnership - Plymouth 2020|publisher=Plymouth City Council|accessdate=2008-02-15}}</ref> [[Image:Drake circus interior.JPG|thumb|left|Interior of the new [[Drake Circus Shopping Centre]] in 2006.]] Significant regeneration has occurred since 2002 with the old Drake Circus shopping centre and Charles Cross car park being demolished in 2004 and being replaced by the latest [[Drake Circus Shopping Centre]], which opened in October 2006.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/devon/5402112.stm|title=Controversy over £200m shops plan|publisher=The [[BBC]]|date=2006-10-05|accessdate=2007-10-13}}</ref> The council has encouraged cafés to create outdoor eating areas; and the clearing of a large public area in Armada Way has enabled [[farmers' market]]s and other street markets as well as exhibitions, entertainments and festivals. As of 2007, the former Ballard Leisure Centre is being replaced with residential and office space along with a project involving the future demolition of the Bretonside bus station to build a new civic complex. In Drake Circus the [[Roland Levinsky Building]], part of Plymouth University opened in 2007. Other suggestions include the demolition of the [[Plymouth Pavilions]] [[Arena|entertainment arena]] to create a canal 'boulevard' linking [[Millbay]] to the city centre. Millbay is being regenerated with mixed residential, retail and office space alongside the ferry port.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/2588159.stm|title=Dock regeneration plan boosted|publisher=The [[BBC]]|date=2002-12-19|accessdate=2008-06-29}}</ref> == Transport == [[Image:Pont Aven at Millbay.jpg|thumb|right|The Pont Aven car ferry harboured in [[Millbay|Millbay Docks]]]] [[Image:Royal Albert Bridge.jpg|right|thumb|The [[Royal Albert Bridge]], 1859 (closest), and [[Tamar Bridge]], 1961 (behind), connects [[Cornwall]] with Plymouth and the rest of the [[UK]]<ref name="tamar" />]] {{seealso|Railways in Plymouth}} Plymouth has no [[motorway]] links but the national network is accessible via the A38 dual-carriageway Devon Expressway to the [[M5 motorway]] which starts about {{convert|40|mi|km}} east near [[Exeter]]. The [[A38 road|A38 Parkway]] runs from east to west across the geographical centre of the city. The [[Tamar Bridge]] to the west of the city provides vehicle access to [[Cornwall]] from the A38 Parkway to [[Saltash]]. [[Plymouth Citybus]] provides bus services to suburban areas of the city and [[First Group]] provides other services within the city (including [[park and ride]]) and in the surrounding area. [[Stagecoach Devon]] provides services to [[Exeter]] and [[Paignton]], and Western Greyhound provides services to [[Liskeard]] and [[Newquay]]. From the Bretonside Bus station located near to [[Drake Circus]], National Express and other operators run long distance coach services to London and many parts of the UK. A regular international ferry service provided by [[Brittany Ferries]] operates from [[Millbay]] taking cars and foot passengers directly to [[France]] and [[Spain]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.brittany-ferries.co.uk/guides/port-guide/plymouth-terminal|title=Plymouth Ferry Terminal Guide|work=[[Brittany Ferries]] website|accessdate=2008-07-12}}</ref> There is a passenger ferry between Stonehouse and the Cornish hamlet of [[Cremyll]] and a water-bus from the Mayflower Steps to Mount Batten. The city also has an alternative to using the [[Tamar Bridge]] via the [[Torpoint Ferry]] across the [[River Tamar]]. The city's only airport is [[Plymouth City Airport]]; a small airfield located in the suburb of Derriford {{convert|4|mi|km}} north of the city centre, just off the A386 road to [[Tavistock, Devon|Tavistock]]. The airport is home to the local airline [[Air Southwest]] who operate flights across the [[British Isles]]. The city's central and largest railway station, [[Plymouth railway station]], is an important [[First Great Western]] station on the [[London to Penzance Line]] and also sees trains on the [[CrossCountry]] and [[South West Trains]] networks. Smaller stations are served by local trains on the [[Tamar Valley Line]] and [[Cornish Main Line]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.networkrail.co.uk/browse%20documents/eNRT/Dec07/timetables/Table139.pdf|title=Plymouth ---> Gunnislake Train Timetable|publisher=[[Network Rail]]|format=PDF|accessdate=2008-05-17}}</ref> [[First Great Western]] have come under fire recently, due to widespread rail service cuts across the south west, which affect Plymouth greatly.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/article734736.ece|title=Biggest cuts since Beeching will slash rural train services|date=2006-02-25|publisher=[[The Times]]|accessdate=2008-05-31}}</ref> Three [[Member of Parliament|MPs]] from the three main political parties in the region have joined together to put across the message that the train services are vital to its economy.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/cornwall/4624375.stm|title=MPs join forces against train cut |date=2005-06-26|publisher=The [[BBC]]|accessdate=2008-05-31}}</ref> == Education == [[Image:Roland Levinsky Building.jpg|thumb|The [[Roland Levinsky Building]] - Arts Department of the [[University of Plymouth]]]] Plymouth is home to the 11th largest [[university]] in the [[United Kingdom]] (excluding the [[Open University]]), the [[University of Plymouth]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hesa.ac.uk/dox/dataTables/studentsAndQualifiers/download/institution0506.xls|title=List of universities by number of students|publisher=The [[Higher Education Statistics Agency]]|accessdate=2008-05-30|format=Excel}}</ref> It is the largest university in south west England with over 30,000 students, almost 3,000 staff and an annual income of around £110 million. It was founded as a college of technology and then becoming a polytechnic it also absorbed the School of Maritime Studies. It has courses in maritime business, marine engineering, marine biology and Earth, ocean and environmental sciences, surf science, shipping and logistics.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.plymouth.ac.uk/pages/dynamic.asp?page=atoz&type=u|title=Undergraduate courses A-Z|publisher=The [[University of Plymouth]]|accessdate=2008-06-18}}</ref> The city is also home to three large colleges. The [[University College Plymouth St Mark & St John]] (Marjon), which specialises in [[Teacher education|teacher training]], offers training across the country and abroad<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.marjon.ac.uk/aboutmarjon/history/|title=The History of the University College|publisher=The [[University College Plymouth St Mark & St John]]|accessdate=2008-06-19}}</ref> The [[City College Plymouth]] provides courses from the most basic to [[Foundation degree]]s for approximately 26,000 students.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cityplym.ac.uk/index.php?page_id=0156|title=The College|publisher=[[City College Plymouth]]|accessdate=2008-06-19}}</ref> The [[Plymouth College of Art and Design]] (known as PCAD) offers a selection of courses including Media. It was started 153 years ago and is now one of only four independent colleges of art and design in the [[UK]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.pcad.ac.uk/|title=PCAD home page|publisher=[[Plymouth College of Art and Design]]|accessdate=2008-06-19}}</ref> Plymouth also has 75 primary phase schools, 14 state secondary schools and eight special schools. It has three selective grammar schools and two independent schools, the Kings School at Hartley and [[Plymouth College]] at Mutley.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.plymouth.gov.uk/homepage/education/schools.htm|title=Schools|publisher=Plymouth City Council|accessdate=2008-06-19}}</ref> Plymouth is home to [[Plymouth Marine Laboratory]], an independent collaborative centre, who study the area for scientific research. They study the marine ecosystems in and near Plymouth to provide future solutions for marine extinctions across the [[United Kingdom]]. == Religion == [[Image:Drake Circus behind Charles Church.jpg|thumb|right|The ruined [[Charles Church, Plymouth, Devon|Charles Church]], the city's memorial to the civilians killed in the [[Plymouth Blitz|Blitz]] and [[Drake Circus Shopping Centre]] behind]] Plymouth's Victorian Catholic [[cathedral]], located in [[Stonehouse, Plymouth|Stonehouse]] opened in 1858.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.plymouthdata.info/CH-RC-Cathedral.htm|title=Roman Catholic Cathedral of St Mary and St Boniface|publisher=Plymouth Data|accessdate=2008-06-21}}</ref> The city's senior [[Anglican]] church which hosts the civic services is dedicated to St Andrew, and is located in Royal Parade. Adjacent in the city centre post-war ecclesiastical zone are modern [[Baptist]] and [[Unitarian]] churches. There is a [[Quaker]] Meeting House on [[Mutley Plain]]. The [[Greek Orthodox]] community have converted an old church in West Hoe for their observances. Pentecostals, Christadelphians and Jehovah's Witnesses have their own churches. In 1831 the first [[Plymouth Brethren|Brethren]] assembly in [[England]], a movement of conservative non-denominational Evangelical Christians, was established at Plymouth. This is why Brethren are often called Plymouth Brethren, although the Brethen didn't movement didn't start in Plymouth.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/christianity/subdivisions/exclusivebrethren_2.shtml|title=The Exclusive Brethren History|publisher=The [[BBC]]|date=2004-02-04|accessdate=2008-07-13}}</ref> Other religions have places of worship in the city too. The small [[Jewish]] community has an eighteenth century [[Orthodox Judaism|Orthodox]] [[synagogue]], which is the oldest [[Ashkenazi Jews|Ashkenazi]] [[Synagogue]] in the [[Anglosphere|English speaking world]];<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.plymouthsynagogue.com/|title=Welcome to Plymouth Synagogue|work=Plymouth's Orthodox Synagogue website|accessdate=2008-07-06}}</ref> the small [[Muslim]] community have a [[mosque]] at the Islamic Centre in North Road East; the [[Bahá'í Faith|Bahá'í]] have a meeting place at Dale Road in Mutley; the [[Buddhist]]s have meeting places in Mutley and in St Jude's and there is also a small [[Scientology]] regional office in Ebrington Street, although Scientology is not recognised as a religion in the UK. == Sports == {{main|Sport in Plymouth}} [[Image:Devout.JPG|thumb|right|Outside [[Home Park]] before [[Plymouth Argyle F.C.|Argyle]] play a match]] Plymouth is the largest city in England never to have had a football team in the first tier of English football.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://blogs.guardian.co.uk/sport/2008/03/28/have_hulls_tigers_finally_foun.html|title=Have Hull's Tigers finally found their roar?|date=2008-03-28|publisher=[[The Guardian]]|accessdate=2008-07-01}}</ref> It is home to [[Plymouth Argyle Football Club]], who play in the [[Football League Championship]] (second tier of English football) at the [[Home Park]] stadium in [[Central Park, Plymouth|Central Park]]. It is Plymouth's only professional football team, however the city used to have another team called [[Plymouth United F.C.]] dating back to 1886.<ref>{{Citation|publication-date=1886|title=Official Fixture Card|publisher=[[Plymouth Argyle F.C.|Argyle Football Club]]}}</ref> The club takes its nickname from the group of English non-conformists that left Plymouth for the [[New World]] in 1620: the club crest features the [[Mayflower]], which carried the [[pilgrims]] to [[Massachusetts]] and the club's mascot is named Pilgrim Pete. The city is also home to clubs in nearly all sports, notably [[Plymouth Albion R.F.C.]] and the [[Plymouth Raiders]] basketball club. [[Plymouth Albion R.F.C.|Plymouth Albion Rugby Football Club]] is a [[rugby union]] club that was founded in 1875 and are currently in the second tier of English rugby union.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.plymouthalbion.com/club/history.html|title=History of Plymouth Albion RFC|work=[[Plymouth Albion R.F.C.]] website|accessdate=2008-06-21}}</ref> [[Plymouth Raiders]] play in the top tier of British Bastketball, the [[British Basketball League]]. They play at the [[Plymouth Pavilions]], along with many other sports clubs and were founded in 1983.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.plymouthraiders.com/raiders/raiders_clubhistory.html|title=Plymouth Raiders Club History|work=[[Plymouth Raiders]] website|accessdate=2008-06-21}}</ref> Plymouth is also home to two [[American Football]] clubs: The [[Plymouth Admirals]] and the [[Plymouth Blitz (BCAFL)|Plymouth Blitz]] as well as speedway team [[Plymouth Devils]] who partake in the British [[Speedway Conference League|Conference League]].{{Fact|date=July 2008}} == Culture == {{main|Culture of Plymouth}} [[Image:Plymouth fireworks 2006.jpg|right|thumb|The view of the 2006 [[British Fireworks Championship]] over [[Plymouth Sound]]]] Plymouth has [[theatre]]s, [[Movie theater|cinemas]] and [[Art museum|art galleries]] as well as [[television station]]s. Outdoor events and festivals are held including the [[British Fireworks Championship]] and [[The Music of the Night]], an outdoor production held every two years in The Royal Citadel when amateurs sing to service unit musicians. The Plymouth Morris Men perform throughout the year at many events and venues. In August 2006 the world record for the most amount of simultaneous fireworks was surpassed, by Roy Lowry of the [[University of Plymouth]], over [[Plymouth Sound]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/devon/content/articles/2006/07/18/rocket_record_feature.shtml|title=Rocket man sets record|date=2006-11-02|publisher=The [[BBC]]|accessdate=2008-06-21}}</ref> The city's main theatre, [[Theatre Royal, Plymouth|Theatre Royal]] is a provincial producing theatre and incorporates a studio theatre (The Drum). Its production and education centre, TR2, is in an award-winning building at Cattedown.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/devon/news_features/2003/building_award.shtml|title=TR2 is Britain's "Building of the Year"|publisher=The [[BBC]]|date=2003-09-14|accessdate=2008-06-08}}</ref> The University has two well-equipped theatres within the [[Roland Levinsky Building]]. Amateurs perform at the Athenaeum Theatre, Devonport Playhouse, and the Globe Theatre (within Stonehouse barracks). The [[Plymouth Pavilions]] stages music concerts from rock and pop to ballet, as well as hosting basketball, wrestling and line dancing. There is a [[multiplex]] cinema at the Barbican Leisure Centre and a small cinema at Derry's Cross. In Looe Street, Plymouth Arts Centre has a two screen cinema specialising in [[art house]] and foreign films. At the heart of Plymouth's nightlife is [[Union Street, Plymouth|Union Street]]. It used to be renowned for its prostitures supplied to sailors from the [[Royal Navy]] docking in Plymouth.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/devon/content/articles/2006/07/12/union_street_community_feature.shtml|title=Union Street: night and day|publisher=The [[BBC]]|work=Devon Community Life|date=2006-07-24|accessdate=2008-06-22}}</ref> It was lined with [[music hall]]s and cinemas, but is now run down. Today, it is still home to a number of bars, clubs and casinos open late into the morning. Fights, public indecency and noise pollution are frequent on Friday and Saturday nights, a consequence of binge drinking, which have resulted in increased demands on the local police force. Other clubs and bars are at the Barbican Leisure Park, on Mutley Plain, and on Lockyer Street. Plymouth is regional [[BBC Television Centre|television centre]] of [[BBC South West]]. [[ITV]]'s television studio at Langage is to close in 2008. The regional stations include [[BBC Radio Devon]], [[BBC Radio Cornwall]], [[South Hams Radio]], [[Plymouth Sound]] and [[Pirate FM]]. The main regional newspaper is the [[Western Morning News]], whose local publishing and print centre at Derriford were designed by [[architect]] [[Nicholas Grimshaw]]. The local city paper, from the same publisher, [[Northcliffe Media]] group, at the same print centre, is the [[The Herald (Plymouth Evening Herald)|Plymouth 'Herald']]. == Public services == [[Image:Snow at Derriford Hostpital.jpg|thumb|right|View of [[Derriford Hospital]]'s incinerator chimney after a snowfall]] Since 1973 Plymouth has been supplied water by [[South West Water]]. Prior to the 1973 take over it was supplied by Plymouth County Borough Corporation.<ref>The South West Water Authority Constitution Order 1973 (1973 No. 1307)</ref> About {{convert|5|mi}} north of the city is [[Dartmoor reservoirs|Burrator Reservoir]], which was constructed in 1898 and later expanded in 1929. It still supplies much of the water for Plymouth. Plymouth City Council is responsible for [[waste management]] throughout the city<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.plymouth.gov.uk/homepage/environmentandplanning/rubbishandrecycling.htm|title=Rubbish and recycling|publisher=Plymouth City Council|accessdate=2008-05-31}}</ref> and [[South West Water]] is responsible for sewerage. Plymouth's electricity is supplied from the [[National Grid (UK)|National Grid]] and distributed to Plymouth via [[Western Power Distribution]]. At present there are no power stations (apart from [[wind turbines]]) in [[Devon]] and [[Cornwall]], however the [[Langage Power Station]], a [[Natural gas|gas]] powered [[Power station|station]] on the outskirts of [[Plympton]], is due to start producing electricity for Plymouth at the end of 2009.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/devon/5085972.stm |title= Power plant gets go-ahead at last|date=2006-06-16|accessdate=2008-05-31 |publisher=The [[BBC]]}}</ref> Plymouth is served by Plymouth Hospitals [[NHS Trust]] and the city's [[National Health Service (England)|NHS]] hospital is [[Derriford Hospital]] {{convert|4|mi}} north of the city centre and there is also the Royal Eye Infirmary near the city centre. South Western Ambulance Service NHS Trust operates in Plymouth and the rest of the south west; its headquarters are in [[Exeter]]. Her Majesty's Court Service provide a [[Magistrates' Court]], [[Crown Court|Crown]] and [[County Court]]s in the city. The nearest [[High Court]] is in [[Exeter]] as are the police and prosecuting headquarters. There is no prison or youth detention unit in Plymouth. The Plymouth Borough Police, formed in 1836, eventually became part of [[Devon and Cornwall Constabulary]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.devon-cornwall.police.uk/v3/about/history/plymouth/index.htm|title=Plymouth City Police (1928 - 1967) - Devon & Cornwall Constabulary|publisher=[[Devon and Cornwall Constabulary]]|accessdate=2008-02-16}}</ref> There are police stations at Charles Cross and Crownhill (the Divisional HQ) and smaller stations at Plympton and Plymstock.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.devon-cornwall.police.uk/v3/infopnt/polopen/plym.htm|title=Plymouth Police Station Details - Devon & Cornwall Constabulary| publisher=[[Devon and Cornwall Constabulary]]|accessdate=2008-02-16}}</ref> The city has one the Devon and Cornwall Area [[Crown Prosecution Service]] Divisional offices.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cps.gov.uk/local/southwest/devoncornwall.html|title=Your Local CPS : Devon and Cornwall|publisher=The [[Crown Prosecution Service]]|accessdate=2008-02-16}}</ref> Plymouth has several large fire stations located in [[Crownhill]], [[Camel's Head]], [[Greenbank, Plymouth|Greenbank]], and [[Plympton]], which is part of [[Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service]]. There is also a fire service training centre located in [[Plympton]]. == Notable people == [[Image:Gheeraerts Francis Drake 1591.jpg|thumb|upright|right|Sir [[Francis Drake]], past Mayor of Plymouth.]] {{main|List of people from Plymouth}} People from Plymouth are known as Plymothians or less formally as [[Janner]]s. Antarctic explorers [[Robert Falcon Scott]] and [[Frank Bickerton]] both lived in the city. The [[artist]] [[Beryl Cook]] lived in Plymouth for much of her life and her paintings depict some of the colourful characters she encountered in the city. Another artist, [[Robert Lenkiewicz]], lived in the city from the 1960s until his death in 2002. The actress [[Dawn French]] was educated here at an independent school for girls. People born in Plymouth include Olympic swimmer [[Sharon Davies]], gold medal-winning [[diver]] [[Thomas Daley]],<ref name=>{{cite web|url=http://www.olympics.org.uk/AYOF07/athlete.aspx?sp=DV%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20&at=6509|title=Thomas Daley Biography|publisher=The [[British Olympic Association]]|accessdate=2007-02-12}}</ref> dancer [[Wayne Sleep]], newsreader and journalist [[Angela Rippon]]. Other notable residents include footballer [[Trevor Francis]], the tennis player and quiz hostess [[Sue Barker]], and TV presenter [[Fern Britton]]. == Landmarks == Plymouth's main geographical landmarks is the [[Plymouth Sound]], which has shaped the city and given it its naval importance. The earliest man-made landmark is the [[Royal Citadel, Plymouth|Royal Citadel]], built in 1666, to defend the town from naval attacks and to train the armed forces.<ref name="citadel" /> Further west is [[Smeaton's Tower]], built in 1759, it was a lighthouse out at sea, but was dismantled and rebuilt on [[Plymouth Hoe]] in 1877.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/devon/content/articles/2005/06/07/coast05walks_stage5_feature.shtml|title=Coast Walks: Point 5 - Smeaton's Tower|date=2008-01-25|publisher=The [[BBC]]|accessdate=2008-07-05}}</ref> Today it attracts tourists for its views over [[Plymouth Sound]] and the rest of the city, because it is climbable. Opposite the [[River Plym]] is the [[Saltram House]] estate, which has a [[Georgian architecture|Georgian]] mansion.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/main/w-vh/w-visits/w-findaplace/w-saltram/|title=Saltram|publisher=The [[National Trust for Places of Historic Interest or Natural Beauty|National Trust]]|accessdate=2008-07-06}}</ref> The [[Plymouth Hoe]] has three memorials: A statue of Sir [[Francis Drake]], past mayor of Plymouth; A tall memorial to the lives lost at sea with their names written on plaques; and a memorial to the [[Royal Air Force]]. The old village of Plymouth, sutton, is now called the [[Barbican, Plymouth|Barbican]] and still has many of the buildings in tact with [[Cobblestone|cobbled]] roads, which attract visitors. It is also where the [[Pilgrim Fathers]] left for the [[New World]] in 1620 at the [[Mayflower Steps]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/devon/content/panoramas/point8a_mayflower_steps_360.shtml|title=Point 8a - Mayflower Steps|date=2008-01-07|publisher=The [[BBC]]|accessdate=2008-07-05}}</ref> <gallery caption="Images of landmarks" perrow="3" style="margin: 1em auto 1em auto"> Image:Royal Citadel, Plymouth.jpg|Aerial view of The [[Royal Citadel, Plymouth|Royal Citadel]] Image:SmeatonsTower2006.JPG|[[Smeaton's Tower]] Image:Plymouth Sound and Breakwater.jpg|[[Plymouth Sound]] and [[Plymouth Breakwater|Breakwater]] Image:Statue of Sir Francis Drake.jpg|Statue of Sir [[Francis Drake]] Image:War memorial, Plymouth.jpg|Plymouth War Memorial Image:Royal Air Force Memorial, Plymouth.jpg|The [[Royal Air Force]] Memorial Image:Plymouth Barbican and harbour.jpg|The [[Barbican, Plymouth|Barbican]] Image:MayflowerSteps.jpg|The [[Mayflower Steps]] at the bottom left Image:Saltram House 2008.jpg|[[Saltram House]] </gallery> == References == {{commonscat|Plymouth}} {{reflist|2}} * Dunning, Martin (2001). ''Around Plymouth''. Frith Book Co Ltd * Gill, Crispin (1993). ''Plymouth: A New History''. Devon Books * Robinson, Chris (2004). ''Plymouth Then & Now''. Plymouth Prints * Casley, Nicholas (1997). ''The Medieval Incorporation of Plymouth and a Survey of the Borough's Bounds''. Old Plymouth Society. * [[Carew, Richard|Richard Carew]] (1555), ''The Survey of Cornwall'', text here:[http://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/etext06/srvcr10.txt] N.B. Carew refers to Plymouth Hoe as ''the Hawe at Plymmouth'' == External links == * [http://www.plymouth.gov.uk/homepage.htm Plymouth City Council website] * [http://www.chrisrobinson.co.uk/system/index.html Chris Robinson's Plymouth Prints and local history] * [http://web.ukonline.co.uk/stephen.johnson/air/ Aerial photographs of Plymouth] *[http://www.picturepostcards.info/published/default.aspx?highlight=7&album=plymouth Plymouth Picture Postcards (mostly pre-WWII)] {{coor title dms|50|21|51|N|4|8|37|W}} {{SW_England}} {{UK cities}} {{LargestUKCities}} {{Devon}} [[Category:Plymouth| ]] [[Category:Cities in Devon]] [[Category:Local government in Devon]] [[Category:Port cities and towns in the United Kingdom]] [[Category:Unitary authorities in England]] [[ar:بليموث]] [[bs:Plymouth]] [[bg:Плимут]] [[cs:Plymouth]] [[cy:Plymouth]] [[da:Plymouth]] [[de:Plymouth]] [[et:Plymouth]] [[es:Plymouth]] [[eo:Plymouth]] [[fr:Plymouth (Angleterre)]] [[io:Plymouth, Anglia]] [[id:Plymouth]] [[it:Plymouth (Regno Unito)]] [[kw:Aberplymm]] [[la:Plimmuta]] [[lv:Plimuta]] [[lb:Plymouth]] [[lt:Plimutas (Anglija)]] [[nl:Plymouth (Engeland)]] [[ja:プリマス]] [[no:Plymouth]] [[nrm:Pliémue]] [[oc:Plymouth, Anglatèrra]] [[pl:Plymouth (Anglia)]] [[pt:Plymouth (Reino Unido)]] [[ro:Plymouth]] [[qu:Plymouth]] [[ru:Плимут (Англия)]] [[scn:Plymouth]] [[simple:Plymouth]] [[sk:Plymouth (Anglicko)]] [[fi:Plymouth]] [[sv:Plymouth]] [[tr:Plymouth (şehir)]] [[zh:普利茅斯]]