As you may or may not be aware there is a rich and largely ignored heritage in Devonport. The Mayflower setting sail to America and Charles Darwin, both of whom left English soil for the last time in Mutton Cove, and Captain Scott of Antarctica who was a local hero who left from Plymouth and has a monument in Mount Wise Park.

Finally this rich heritage will be recognized by a trail that will link all of these sites together to connect and promote them in a new Heritage Trail. The route will link Stonehouse Bridge, Richmond Walk, Mount Wise, the Guildhall and Column, Cumberland Gardens, North Corner Quay, Pottery Quay, Devonport Park and the Brickfields. In the future it could also include the Market Hall and historic buildings in the South Yard.

There was a nationwide search to submit ideas for the heritage trail and over 50 applications were put forward. The Plymouth City Council and DRC Partnership have shortlisted three project ideas put forward by artists and asked them to develop their ideas further.

Michael Disley has proposed a series of stone sculptures and benches. Carole Waller and Julia Kasdan-Brown project is a series of markers constructed out of two layers of glass, with images set in fabric for the proposed new Devonport Park Pavilion and the Brickfields leisure centre. Michael Disley will carve 5 stone benches and 5 tiles for Mount Wise Park, Devonport Park and Cumberland Gardens. Gary and Thomas Thrussell project is to use 80 to 100 pieces of steel discs embossed with images appropriate to the area on the trail.

The Plymouth City Council invites people to get involved by coming along and taking part in a workshop drop in session on Saturday 19th December at the Welcome Hall between 10am to 3pm. There will be a buffet lunch provided at 1pm.

For further information about the Heritage Trail please contact Chris Coldwell email chris.coldwell@plymouth.gov.uk or call 01752 305598