COVID-19 – Plymouth Gazette

Why you shouldn’t post your degree certificate online

15Dec

By Vivian HockingNo Comments

Why you shouldn’t post your degree certificate online

In September this year, graduates were once again able to celebrate their hard-fought achievement of earning their undergraduate degree certificate with in person graduation ceremonies on the Plymouth Hoe. More recently, on Wednesday last week, postgraduate students from Plymouth were also celebrating their successes with in-person ceremonies at the Plymouth Guild Hall. Graduation marquees on Plymouth Hoe - University of Plymouth These events marked the first return to in person ceremonies since we reported last year on the decision to hold digital celebrations in lieu of traditional ceremonies, which was part of response measures to the Coronavirus pandemic. Both forms of graduation are typically however followed by celebratory social media posts. It’s not unusual to see photos ...

18Dec

By Poppy CarrollNo Comments

COVID-19, Societies, Sport, Student's Union, SU Policies

Have Clubs and Societies Been Supported by the SU Since Lockdown?

BY POPPY CARROLL Once again, our clubs and societies returned to their Zoom activities, as physical operation was prohibited due to lockdown 2.0. However, during our first semester back at university, clubs and societies were able to operate fully - providing they did so under Government regulations regarding COVID-19. So, how did the student union help our committees in the run-up to our return in September and, how did they guide them throughout the recent national lockdown? With the majority of clubs and societies relying on physical interaction to run, it was bound to be a challenge to recruit and re-start while adhering to the Government's regulations. Like many clubs and societies, the University Choir Society's biggest challenge was not being able to meet up. A representat...

2020 Graduation is Cancelled as University Plans Unfulfilling Zoom Call

29Oct

By Owain GullamNo Comments

COVID-19

2020 Graduation is Cancelled as University Plans Unfulfilling Zoom Call

BY OWAIN GULLAM On Friday 23rd October, 2020 graduates were told via email that planning for an in-person graduation had been stood-down in favour of planning for a virtual ceremony. Typical views of celebrations on the Hoe. Current restrictions limit all gatherings to a maximum of 6 people, yet the University states in an email that each ceremony usually hosts 800. The University is apologetic about the cancellation, but reminds graduates that current circumstances are out of their control. Planners have asked that a virtual ceremony be accepted, with the offer of an in-person "celebration" next September. The University has yet to release an official press statement. We have reached out to the University of Plymouth this morning; they are yet to comment. Their comments ...

26Sep

By Diogo AbreuNo Comments

Cartoons, Cartoons: Diogo Abreu

An Unusual Start to the Academic Year

An Unusual Start to the Academic Year. Image: Copyright Diogo Abreu The safe return of education has been a constant worry for students since the start of lockdown. Shown above are the biggest concerns for students returning to education and how these differ from concerns in previous years. Read more stories about COVID-19 by Plymouth Gazette.

Flawed ‘Eat Out To Help Out’ scheme may not be as beneficial as we think; targeting the health of the most vulnerable.

28Aug

By Yasmine JelleyNo Comments

Cartoons: Yasmine Jelley, COVID-19, Health

Flawed ‘Eat Out To Help Out’ scheme may not be as beneficial as we think; targeting the health of the most vulnerable.

BY YASMINE JELLEY COPYRIGHT – YASMINE JELLEY Who knew that this pandemic would be tantalising our taste buds? Nevertheless, the rumours are true. Now that restaurants have been re-opened for about a month, Chancellor Rishi Sunak has introduced the ‘Eat Out To Help Out’ scheme, in an attempt to re-build tourism and the hospitality sectors. Since the 3rd August, restaurants registered onto this scheme have provided a mouth-watering 50% off food and drink during the month. What could be better than that? Catching up with friends and eating out at your favourite restaurants, including the most beloved outlets such as Domino's, Wetherspoons and McDonald’s, where you can receive a Big Mac for only £1.60! That being said, is it as good as it seems? Was this the best time to implement this...

Sports Clubs Dependant on the Life Centre may Suffer into 2021

12Aug

By Josh MarrNo Comments

Plymouth, Societies, Sport

Sports Clubs Dependant on the Life Centre may Suffer into 2021

BY JOSH MARR A Plymouth Herald article last week revealed that the Life Centre will be closed for “essential repairs” until at least April 2021, leaving the survival of some sports clubs in question. The Everyone Active-owned facility has been open for eight years and supports at least six sports clubs as their facility, on top of the free student swimming sessions and countless other local sports clubs and teams. "It's been announced at the worst possible time" Max Kimble, Chairman of the Plymouth Mantas told Plymouth Gazette, "we had a really successful year last year in terms of gaining more paying members than ever before [...] this closure could send us back to where we were five years ago; struggling to get students interested and worrying about not being able to continue." Th...

28Jul

By Amii JamesNo Comments

Cartoons, Cartoons: Amii James

Plymouth Barbican

Plymouth Barbican. Image: Copyright Amii Illustrates The Barbican was left covered in litter from drunk revellers during lockdown on the night of June 24. Litter included plastic cups, beer bottles, nitrous oxide canisters and more. Pub-goers awaiting the reopening of pubs on July 4, and a lack of police presence on the historic harbourside, left the situation to spiral out of control. A large clean-up operation was actioned by Plymouth City Council the following morning to clean the litter on the cobbled streets and waste discarded into the harbour water. There has been an increased police presence in the area and the removal of public toilet fees to prevent a recurrence of these scenes. View more Plymouth Gazette illustrations here

28Jul

By Lucas VossNo Comments

COVID-19, Plymouth

Don’t Forget to Take Your Mask

BY LUCAS VOSS © Lucas Voss New rules come into force in England today, Friday 24th July, that require you to wear a face covering in shops and supermarkets by law. This is in addition to the rules that already applied to users of public transport since 15th June. The government also suggests wearing a face covering in other confined spaces where social distancing may be difficult. If you don’t have a mask already, you may be worried how you will shop this weekend with this new rule in place. The government have noted that a face covering does not have to be a mask. It could be a scarf, bandana or home-made covering – they have even provided instructions to make your own! It has been stated by the Cabinet Office that face coverings are ‘largely intend...

Remote Learning Highlights Technological Inequalities

22Jul

By Lucas VossNo Comments

COVID-19, Plymouth

Remote Learning Highlights Technological Inequalities

BY LUCAS VOSS 'Home working' is often used as a blanket term to imply business will continue as usual, albeit from another location. A glimpse into the student or worker's home office is offered in a video call, however this is only a select view or virtual background. So, what is a home office really like? An idealistic space adorned with a desk, ergonomic chair, computer, and top of the range coffee machine to fuel the day, is not accessible to most of the UK's working population. Even so, it would not cater for a whole family now simultaneously working from home, including children being home-schooled. This would resonate with Robert Kelly, as his BBC interview was interrupted by his children in 2017, leading it to go viral - although now it is the new normal for students to witn...

Plymouth’s Arts Community: The Rise out of Lockdown

8Jul

By Melissa HawkinsNo Comments

Culture, Entertainment, Plymouth

Plymouth’s Arts Community: The Rise out of Lockdown

BY MELISSA HAWKINS Copyright - Amii Illustrates Theatre-goers bustle into the warm auditorium, hugging their damp coats and fistfuls of confectionery as they take their seats amongst the wine fuelled chatter that floats around The Drum. A few doors down, ticket holders patiently wait in line for tonight’s band, a buzz of excitement trailing way beyond the doors and giggling queues of the Pavilion. Set back from the eclectic energy that seeps through the city centre, small groups gather to review their most recent book club read; a tricky dystopian page turner that appears worlds apart from our own. I think back to the last time I went to the theatre – I caught a one woman show at the Barbican Theatre on a whim after lectures one evening; it was raining outside so I was very...