Oracle on sea feb 2015 red1

Oracle-on-Sea

February 2015

ORACLE Leigh, Chalkwell & Southend Conservation Area Est. Oct 2006. Circulation 6,700

Oracle Competition

WIN! A garden design package worth ÂŁ1400 with Earth Designs

Local Issues

Budget for 2015/2016

Recipe Page

Spicy Fish Tacos

Council News

Plans for 2015

Open Day

Saturday 7th March from 10am until 12 noon

Garden Design and Build front cover by www.earthdesigns.co.uk

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ORACLE-ON-SEA

www.oraclepublications.co.uk

FEBRUARY 2015

OR ACLE Publisher’s letter

A

fter many months of searching and all the hassle that goes with moving, Oracle has finally settled in its new office.Although it isn’t something I would want to do again in a hurry, it has kicked off our 10th year of trading in a great way. I plan to have a number of different occasions to mark this special year for Oracle.

To kick off, this month’s competition is valued at £1400, so don’t delay, make sure you enter ASAP as you never know you could be the lucky winner of the following brilliant prize:Earth Designs is a successful garden design and build company that was formed in 2003. It recently moved to Leigh-on-Sea from London and to mark the occasion it is offering one lucky winner a free garden design package worth £1400.The prize includes an initial consultation, site survey, mood boards, scale plan, planting plan, 3D visuals and supporting document including a detailed no-obligation quote for Earth Designs to construct the garden. Valid for one domestic garden in the South-Essex area. For further information about Earth Designs go to www.earthdesigns.co.uk or call them on 01702 597 587.

Clock Repairs, Sales & Restorations It's About Time est. 30yrs

01702 472574

863 London Road, Chalkwell SS0 9SZ (opposite Chalkwell Park)

To enter simply send your contact details to: Oracle/Earth Designs Competition, Oracle House, 11 Clarence Road, Southend-on-Sea, Essex SS1 1AN or email info@oraclepublications.co.uk. Closing date Friday, 27 February 2015.

Good luck and Happy Valentine’s!

Emma Wynne-Morgan Publisher

01702 393838

Oracle House, 11 Clarence Road, Southend, Essex SS1 1AN

www.oraclepublications.co.uk info@oraclepublications.co.uk

www.twitter.com/oracle_essex www.facebook.com/oracleessex Printed by Printwize Ltd, Witham, Essex CM8 3BN 01376 500 900 FEBRUARY 2015 www.oraclepublications.co.uk

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Do you often feel like there aren’t enough hours in the day? I will help you to free up your personal time so that you can spend it doing the things you love!

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Local Issues Budget for 2015/2016

9/10

by Cllr Ron Woodley

Scents and Sensibility

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Hair & Beauty by Craig Smith Plans for 2015 Council News by Cllr Ron Woodley

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Fancy trying something new this year? 22 Oracle Sport by Nick Faux

Spicy Fish Tacos

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Judy's Recipe Page

Kerbside appeal made easy

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Oracle Gardening by James Dalton Landscaping

Sudoku Diary Dates Useful Numbers Advertisers Index 4

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FEBRUARY 2015

Local Issues

Budget for 2015/2016 T

his month’s local issues will be a small briefing on the Councils Budget for 2015/16; the initial funding gap equalled £16.3million and although this has been reduced by looking closely at the Councils finances and level of borrowing, this still left a saving to be found of £12.4million. To safeguard front line services and local jobs, the budget proposals identify £10.5million of savings and the use of £1.9million of ear-marked reserves to avoid unnecessary short term cuts. The reserves will be replenished in 2016/17 and 2017/18.

Difficult decisions There is no doubt that some incredibly difficult decisions need to be made to balance our books and I have taken them. It is inevitable that as central Government funding reduces every year, with £33million over the next 3 years, the decisions get tougher and tougher.

However, I am also very clear that we must remain a forward thinking and ambitious authority, and that is why we will continue to seek external funding to deliver capital projects that improve the Borough, and also encourage private investment into the town.

Attract external funding We cannot and will not just batten down the hatches and rein in our ambitions. That would be no good for local people, local businesses or the future economic prosperity of Southend-on-Sea. Our multi-million pound capital programme demonstrates how we can attract significant amounts of external funding to deliver major projects, whilst containing the need for borrowing.

It is no longer possible to just keep making efficiencies here and there. Very stark choices about cost savings, services or charges to generate income have to be made. This must be done against a backdrop of increased demand for services, such as social care and changing demographics which mean we are all living longer and have more elderly people in the Borough that must be looked after. That is why it is imperative that we look at innovative proposals for how we deliver adult social care in the future, both effectively and efficiently.

FEBRUARY 2015

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Therefore, I have little choice but to propose a council tax rise of 1.95%, or 42 pence a week for a Band D property. I do not propose this lightly and accept that local people have also been impacted by the austerity measures. Unfortunately it is unrealistic for this authority to keep taking crippling Government funding cuts, without at some stage having to raise council tax by a small amount. In my view if we keep on accepting the Government’s freeze grant year on year, our council tax base shrinks as it has done by £2million in the last 5 years. This is not sustainable and only stores up bigger problems and the likelihood of bigger tax increases in the years ahead. This is the only sensible and responsible thing to do if we are to maintain our crucial services for local people.

Free evening parking

In consultation with sea-front businesses, car parking charges have also been increased to allow for free all year evening parking after 6pm, to encourage a more robust evening economy and help sea-front businesses.

If we do not do the things suggested in these proposals above, then we will be looking at the possibility of stopping a number of services that residents value and rely on. Whilst I accept that there are elements of this budget that will not be popular, it delivers the major savings required, whilst maintaining, and even investing in, core front line services that will keep our streets clean, look after our most vulnerable people and ensure that we remain a competitive and popular tourist and business destination.

The positive element of the budget is that ÂŁ3million will be invested into front line services, plus proposals that will keep Priory House care Free evening parking after 6pm

home open whilst plans are being developed for an adult social care campus on the Priory site, including a 60 bed dedicated specialist residential dementia care home, extra care housing and a day care centre for up to 45 people suffering with extreme disabilities and learning difficulties.

Balancing act This budget is a balance of a number of things. We are continuing to redesign our services to ensure they remain right for residents, reviewing and renegotiating contracts with suppliers and contractors, finding new income streams and savings, where necessary small increases to fees and charges and prudentially using reserves where there is good reason to do so.

Wherever possible I want to minimise the impact on residents and also our staff. Wholesale redundancies would be counter-productive to both the local economy and also staff morale, which in turn has an impact on services to residents. These budget proposals deliver the necessary savings imposed by Central Government, whilst protecting the most vulnerable members of our community and showing that Southend-on-Sea is ambitious, open for business and serious about its economic future.

Cllr Ron Woodley Leader of Southend Council

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ORACLE-ON-SEA

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FEBRUARY 2015

We drive Vera around the bend…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It’s been a crazy few months for Cloudy2Clear Windows.

The company which specialises in repairing windows which are steamed up, broken or damaged by replacing the panes – not the frames has grown rapidly as homeowners take advantage of their services.

Managing Director Chris Miller feels that it’s all about service.

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that obviously helps.

Many tradespeople have struggled since last year and I honestly feel that during the good times a minority perhaps didn’t focus on customer care as much as they should have done. We make sure we turn up when we say we will, do the job the customer requires and leave their house as clean as a whistle. I often get comments back from customers on how they really didn’t expect that sort of service which, in a way, is very sad for the service industry as a whole.’

Cloudy2Clear service the Southend, Leigh on Sea and Thorpe Bay areas

factor in his success.‘The truth is that it’s not just the personal satisfaction that I get from doing a good job but also it makes good business sense. I get a huge amount of business from friends and family of people I’ve done work for,

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FEBRUARY 2015

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Oracle Hair & Beauty

Scents and Sensibility: If music be the food of love, smother me in Marmite and throw me at Gary Barlow!

I

n spite of the continued winter gloom, Valentine’s Day is always an event at Grateful Heads. Being the beautiful people, our customers, of course, want to make sure they look absolutely tickety-boo on this most romantic of days.

Wowing the one you love never goes out of style, so here are few of my sexiest hints and tips to help you look like a fairytale princess. Or prince…

Pucker Up My three golden rules for the ultimate in kissable lips are; 1. Exfoliate: Slather on a lip balm with a touch of alphy hydroxy acid, 2. Moisturize: Apply a creamy balm containing petrolatum, shea butter or ceramides and 3. Add color: Try a tinted balm.

Go with the glow Exfoliate once or twice a week. Doing this will help your skin to look fresher, smoother and younger. But don’t expect overnight miracles. Start your regime now.

In Delicto fragrante

ORACLE-ON-SEA

Some body to love For smooth, glowing skin all over, try using lightly fragranced body oil, rather than your usual body lotion.

Now you’re Valentine won’t be able to take their eyes – and possibly their hands - off you. Enjoy!

O

by Craig Smith

Applying perfume isn’t an art form but there is definitely a right way to do it. Spritz fragrance on your pulse points, which give off heat and release the scent: your wrists, inner elbows, temples, neck hollow, behind the ears, and behind the knees. Apply no more than two drops of perfume, three sprays of eau de parfum, and four hits of eau de toilette.

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Smooth Operator There’s nothing worse than playing footsie under the table and rubbing your foot down a stubbly leg.

Trust me, I know, I’m a cyclist. Rule 1 - Legs: Start above the ankle and work upward in six-inch sections. Rinse your razor between each stroke. To get your knees and ankles, pull the skin taut with one hand and glide the razor with the other. Rule 2 - Underarms: Shave at different angles, since the hair grows every which way. Move the blade upward, then down, then across, rinsing it clean and relathering between strokes. Rule 3 - Bikini line: Avoid irritation by angling the blade in the direction of hair growth and gently shaving with the grain.

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Council News

Plans for 2015 E

arlier in this edition of Oracle you would have read about the budget for 2015/16 and the need to increase council tax and parking charges. In this article, I would like to stress the positives that are happening over the next few years, and the increase in confidence that the Government and private investors have in your Council’s administration, and Southendon-Sea generally.

Further improvements along the A127 at the Kent Elms and Bell Junctions will take place, with £17.5million to be invested. Additionally there will be further investments into bridge and highway maintenance.

Pier development As mentioned in last month’s edition £2.65million will be invested for condition works on the Pier.

There is also £5.8million being invested into a new waste transfer station and to upgrade the Short Street site for cleansing operations and salt storage.

which will, with private investment into regeneration and redevelopment, bring an estimated £1billion over the next 10years.

Ambitious Budget Despite the tough economic challenges, we absolutely must remain a forward thinking council and this is an ambitious budget in austere times. I know that residents and businesses alike will be delighted that finally investments into the Bell and Kent Elms Junctions are available and are looking forward to improved traffic flow in those areas.

I am committed to reducing the council’s reliance on borrowing, and this budget shows that by committing just a small amount of council funding, we can lever into the town up to 6 times as much in external funding and will be nearly £38million less into our borrowing levels than planned by the previous Conservative administration, and saving nearly £2million in financing costs.

Approximately £1.3million is to be invested into further remedial work on the cliff slip, the Cliffs Pavilion, suitable storage facilities for the Prittlewell Prince’s artefacts’, and work to refurbish the toilet block at Thorpe Hall Avenue. Also £32million will continue the completion of the Decent Homes programme on council houses.

Despite the difficult times this gives Southendon-Sea an impressive capital budget to make a difference to important local facilities, job creation and infrastructure and shows that the town is open for business and here to do the very best for local people and local businesses.

Including these new projects this means that over the next 4 years £157million will be invested and spent on capital projects within the Borough

Cllr Ron Woodley

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ORACLE-ON-SEA

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Leader of Southend-on-Sea Borough Council

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Oracle Sport

Fancy trying something new this year?

Why not try Gig Rowing with Lower Thames Rowing Club

P

eople often associate the word ‘Rowing’ with Olympians clad in lycra, the Oxford and Cambridge boat race and, to the other extreme, having a gentle paddle on a village lake. Gig rowing sits somewhere between all of them....it’s a mixture of social rowing, racing and tours/holidays. The elitist stigma attached to the sport does not exist in Gig rowing, it is open to people of all ages and ability. It’s something for the whole community.

So what is Gig Rowing?

Well, the boats you see our Olympians row are called Fine Boats. They are very light, have sliding seats and designed for speed on calm water. Gigs have fixed seats, much heavier and capable of being rowed in rough and calm conditions. Gig designs can vary – some are made from wood with 6 oarsmen, others are fibreglass with 4 oars. Regardless of the build, Gigs have a coxswain as somebody needs to keep them pointing in the right direction!

LTRC was founded in 2002 with a view to promote and grow coastal Gig rowing in the region. Since 2002 the club has grown to around 80 members, has a fleet of 4 Gigs, 2 Skiffs and a number of smaller boats. We are based in Leigh-on-Sea with some boats in the Old Town and others on Two Tree Island where we enjoy unrivalled, permanent access to the water. A typical year will see us attend various races across the South East and arrange various adventure rows/tours in the UK or abroad.

Why would I want to try Gig Rowing?

Well, aside from being a fantastic way to get fit, it’s great fun, lots to offer and very social. Our boats are out on the water almost every weekend throughout the year, with additional rows during the week and evenings throughout the summer.

So, does this sound like something you may be interested in? If so, we offer a free monthly Learn to Row course and safety talk after which you will be entitled to 2 free rows before deciding if you wish to formally join.

More information For more information please contact: Nick.Faux@lowerthamesrowingclub.com or visit www.lowerthamesrowingclub.com

O

by Nick Faux

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drugs & alcohol & associated feelings, panic, emotional abuse, self harm, bullying, loneliness, isolation, sexual abuse, loss, guilt, shame & sexuality.

Telephone: 07950 964524 Email: cacounselling@hotmail.com www.carladamscounselling.co.uk 534 London Road, Westcliff-on-Sea SS0 9HS

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recipe of the month

For the chutney:

In the Kitchen with Judy Barden

80g fresh coriander 2 ripe avocados chopped 1 garlic clove halved 7-8 tbsp water 2-3 tsp lemon juice 1-2 green chillis halved

For the warm slaw:

1 tsp vegetable oil 2/3 tsp brown mustard seeds 2/3 tsp nigella seeds ( onion seeds) 160g finely shredded red cabbage 80g carrots, shredded 1 small red onion finely sliced

1. Mix the marinade ingredients in a large bowl and season well. Add the fish and marinate in the fridge for 30 minutes.

2. Pre heat the grill to high. Whizz the ingredients

Spicy Fish Tacos

T

his is a really tasty light lunch or supper dish. The creaminess that’s usually provided by sour cream or mayo comes from the healthier avocado and coriander chutney with a little low fat Greek yoghurt. The flavours are herby, spicy, tangy and creamy with every mouthful having a little crunch.

The recipe may look long but it can be made in about 15 mins once the marinating is done and you have chopped and shredded. Enjoy!

for the chutney in a food processor, taste and season. Put the fish on an oiled baking tray and grill for 8-10 minutes until just cooked and springy to the touch .

3. Meanwhile make the slaw by heating 1 tbsp oil in a non stick frying pan, add the seeds and once they have popped add the sliced vegetables and season.

Cook for 3-4 minutes, stirring once or twice then remove from the heat.

4. Warm the tortillas wrapped in foil in the oven for the last 3-4 mins of the fish cooking time.

5. Spread each tortilla with 1 tbsp of the chutney

Spicy Fish Tacos - Serves 4

across the centre. Put a quarter of the slaw and a quarter of the fish on top.

Ingredients:

6. Dollop over 1 tbsp of yoghurt then roll. Repeat

350g white fish such as cod or haddock from the thick loin end cut into 5cm pieces Vegetable oil 4 flour tortillas 4tbsp low-fat Greek yoghurt

with the remaining tortillas and serve immediately.

Next month’s recipe: Half-fat Chocolate Cupcakes

For the marinade:

Mobile Website Solutions

2 tsp vegetable oil 100g natural yoghurt 2 garlic cloves grated to a paste 12g fresh ginger, grated 4 tsp lemon juice 1 ½ tsp ground cumin ½ tsp ground turmeric ½ tsp chilli powder 1 tsp garam masala 1 tsp tomato puree

26

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carpets tc t rugs

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visit our Westcliff Showroom opposite Chalkwell Park or pop into our Rayleigh branch near the Wimpy

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Westcliff

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we've got it covered Rayleigh

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Design, service & quality

Beautifully bespoke kitchens DK2 Kitchens of Leigh-on-Sea can help you design, update and improve your kitchen, by providing ideas, inspiration and advice to guide products and designs available today. And, once youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve settled on a kitchen design thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s right for your home or project, we will supply and install your made to measure kitchen at a price you will be delighted with.

DK2 Kitchens Showroom 159 Leigh Road, Leigh-on-Sea, Essex SS9 1JF T: 01702 479201

www.dk2kitchens.co.uk

Opening Times Mon-Fri: 9.30am to 5.30pm Sat: 9.30am to 5.30pm Closed Sun & Bank Holidays

Oracle Gardening

Kerbside appeal made easy T

ypically, the beginning of the year is the most popular time for houses to be put on the market.

home for rodents and nocturnal creatures, which as you can imagine, doesn’t give a positive impression!

But with lots of competition, what can you do to make sure your home is more appealing than the rest?

Lick of paint

A good place to start is your driveway. After all, first impressions count. Your home should have strong kerbside appeal. It needs to stand out, in a positive light, amongst other properties. Buyers typically make a decision on a property within the first thirty seconds of viewing a property. Your entrance and driveway needs to be not only clean and tidy, but welcoming too.

Clean it up Winter weather leaves driveways drab and dirty.

Give the area a thorough wash to spruce up your space and remove grime. If you can’t keep your bin bags in your garden until bin day, purchase unobtrusive, plain black bins to keep rubbish secure and discreet.

Give your front door or garage shutter a lick of paint. Even if you don’t think it needs doing, a freshly painted door is a strong indication that you care about maintaining your home.

Flower power There’s nothing more appealing than a hanging basket or window box spilling with foliage. Perennials are an obvious choice, as they don’t have to be replaced every year.

Selling a home is always stressful. Make sure you give yourself the best chance of a sale by creating and maintaining an impressive entrance.

Break up monotony Concrete driveways are easy to maintain, but can be uninteresting to your prospective buyer. Break up the monotony by introducing large ceramic planters of flowers. Pots and planters are a great option for sellers, as you can simply pick them up and take them with you when you move.

Hedge cutting Now is a great time to cut back unsightly hedges and overgrown bushes. Not only do they limit the light that enters your property and make your driveway look messy, they can also provide a

30

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07708 509415

www.jamesdaltonlandscaping.com info@jamesdaltonlandscaping.com

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ORACLE Enigmas No humdrum conundrum s

6 73 5 8 2 4 3 6 2 8 9

5 2 8 1 5 2 3 6 7 6 9 7 3 5 2 4 4 7 9 3 2 5 1 8 7 2 "SUDOKU

GRIND

Fill in the grid above so that each 3 x 3 box, every row and every column contain the Nos 1 - 9.

The answer to last month’s puzzle is at bottom.

!

WORD LADDER Start at the top and change one letter each rung making a new word to arrive at the final word.

CLOCK

34

SHONE

PHONE

STOLE

STONE

STALL

STALE

SHELL

SHALL

LAST MONTH’S SOLUTIONS

ORACLE-ON-SEA

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FEBRUARY 2015

FEBRUARY 2015

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Garden design by Earth Designs

Diary Dates FAWLTY TOWERS (EAST ESSEX PLAYERS)

Tues 10th March - Sat 14th March 2015 The Dixon Studio, Palace Theatre, 430 London Road, Southend-On-Sea SS0 9LA. Tues to Sat at 7.30 pm / Thur & Sat Mat 2.30 pm. 3 episodes never performed before; The Anniversary, The Kipper & The Corpse and Gourmet Night.

Tickets £11.50 - £12.50 Advance booking 01702 232683 Box office 01702 351135

CREATIVE CRAFTS SHOW

12-14th February Five Lakes Crowne Plaza near Colchester You'll find all the hottest crafts and hobbies at Five Lakes and all the materials and supplies you'll ever need plus there'll be workshops, Make & Takes and FREE demonstrations to enjoy. Tickets: Adults £8.00, concessions £7.00 01822 614671

3 MODERN NOH PLAYS

Three short plays by Yukio Mishima, based on classical Japanese Noh dramas, performed as a collection integrating masks, movement and music to tell tales of malevolent spirits, dream-travel and adultery. www.clifftowntheatre.co.uk Wed 25 Feb 2015 - 19:30 Fri 27 - Sat 28 Feb 2015 -19:30 2:30pm (Friday matinee) Tickets: £10 / £6 concession

GREAT WAR TALKS: SHELL SHOCKED BRITAIN

25th February 7:30pm. The Forum, Elmer Square, Southend-on-Sea, SS1 1NE £5 Based on her book The Stomach for Fighting: Food and the Soldiers of the Great War, Dr Rachel Duffett looks at food and its significance to the British men serving on the Western Front.

JUMBLE SALE

21 February at 10:30am - 12:00pm. St Cedd's Church, Bridgewater Drive, Southend. Come along so we can raise much needed funds to help the Cats Protection Southend.

Open to public 10.30 am to midday.

HOMING SHOW

ORACLE-ON-SEA

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Do you have an event? Email us to get it on here!

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GARDEN MAINTENANCE LANDSCAPING PATIOS & DECKING TURFING FENCING GARDEN CLEARANCE TREE WORK WATER FEATURES DRIVEWAYS Astro turf laying

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GRASS ROOTS LANDSCAPING

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Air&Back

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Get your holiday or business trip off to a comfortable start with an effortless transfer from Air & Back.

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Detailed confirmation to you the day before departure

Call today for a competitive quote Air & Back, 75 Mayfield Avenue, Southend-on-Sea Essex SS2 6NR

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To advertise in ORACLE call today on 01702 393838 38

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useful numbers DIRECTORY ENQUIRIES BT (15p pm from landline, 40p connection) ORACLE PUBLICATIONS UK LTD www.oraclepublications.co.uk ORACLE WEBSITE SOLUTIONS

ANIMAL WELFARE 118 500 393838

Cushing Vadden & Partners

393838

RSPCA Rochford LOCAL MP

ADVICE & HELPLINES Child Protection 534495 Citizens Advice 0844 4770 808 Crime Prevention 464199 Crimestoppers 0800 555 111 Cruse Bereavement Care 213843 Pier & Foreshore Inspectors 215620 Drugs, Alcohol & Substance Misuse 440400 HARP 615000 National Drugs Freephone 0800 776900 Samaritans 611911 Trading Standards 08454 040506 Victim Support Group 0845 4565995 CLUBS & ASSOCIATIONS Belfairs Golf Club 526911 Belfairs Mixed Bowling 475766 Charles Dicken’s Fellowship 588069 Cockleshell Clog Morris 479622 Essex Yacht Club 478404 Essex Handicrafts Association 479622 Essex Society for Family History 522992 Estuary Social Club 477022 Highlands Badminton Club 476009 Hoy & Anchor Folk Club 715111 I.C.C Saturday Club 437861 Leigh Afternoon Women’s Institute 710232 Leigh-on-Sea Cricket Club 712105 Leigh-on-Sea Lions Club 715111 Leigh Camera Club 478717 Leigh Film Society 07957 129309 Leigh Motor Boat Club 714858 Leigh Sailing Club 476788 Lower Thames Rowing Club 482205 Prittlewell Bowls Club 612476 Southend Athletics Club 472195 Southend Photographic Society 332491 Southend Rugby Club 546682 Southend West District Scouts (19 groups) 587647 The English Speaking Union 588069 Westcliff Rugby Club 541499 Woodside Bowling Club 525648 Southend Chess Club Steve Wedlock (Club Secretary) 345902 SEESS Scottish Country Dancing 585473 Thames Estuary Lacemakers 476034 Leigh Travel Club 474475 Southend & District Pensioners Campaign 341047 Westcliff Poetry Prose Lyric Club 342700 COUNCIL & SERVICES Leigh-on-Sea Town Council Southend Council Civic Centre Council Tax & Benefits Environment and domestic Council Waste Department Jobcentre Southend

716288 215000 215001 215005 215006 575700

HOSPITALS & HEALTH BMI Southend Private Hospital Primary Care Trust Southend General Hospital Spire Wellesley Hospital NHS Direct

608908 224600 435555 462944 111

40

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476404

0207 219 3452

David Amess (Con) POLICE SERVICES 24 hour Emergency Number Leigh Police Station (Mon-Fri 9-7pm) Southend Police Station (24 hours) Marine Police 01268 Thames Coastguard

01702 430696 431212 0300 3334444 775533 01255 675518

PUBLIC SERVICES The Forum 215011 Southend High Street Post office 391063 Belfairs Post Office 525354 Traveline 0871 200 2233 Arriva Southend 08701 201 088 First 01268 525251 National Express 08705 80 80 80 Odeon Cinema 0871 2244007 Leigh Heritage Centre 470834 SSAFA (Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen Families Association) 463113

Lord Byron (22 Jan 1788 - 19 April 1824)

“Love will find a way through paths where wolves fear to prey. "

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Oracle-on-Sea

ORACLE

ORACLE View the latest issues

Index to advertisers

ONLINE

Thorpe Bay

February 2015

ORACLE Thorpe Bay at a glance

ACCOUNTANTS Rickard Keen 7 Taylors Chartered Accountants 6 AIRPORT TRANSFER Air & Back 39 ANTIQUE CLOCKS It's About Time 3 BEAUTY SALON Glow 13 BLINDS & SHUTTERS Worth & Co 32 BUILDING Kontor Construction 19 CAFE Cafe-Tiere 39 CARPETS Athena Flooring 13 Gainsborough Carpets 28 Trade Carpets 5 CARPET CLEANING Fresh Start 23 CHAUFFEURS Abbeygate Chauffeurs 25 CLEANING Maid in Essex 27 COMMERCIAL/DOMESTIC PLUMBING & HEATING Essex Maintenance 12 COUNSELLING Carl Adams Counselling 25 DANCE CLASS Shoebury High School 23 DECORATOR Clarke Interior/Exterior 19 DOUBLE GLAZING REPAIR Cloudy 2 Clear 14 ELECTRIC DMB Electric 36

ESTATE AGENTS Hopsons Property FIREPLACES Fireplace & Design GAT Fireplaces FLOORING Athena Flooring Daniel James Flooring GARDEN CENTRE Morley's Garden Centre GRANITE Granite Transformations GUTTERS & FASCIAS AC Solutions HAIR & BEAUTY Grateful Heads HOME CARE Caremark Doris Jones INSURANCE Carroll Insurance INTERIOR DESIGNERS Morris Interiors KITCHENS Apollo Kitchens DK2 Kitchens Kitchen Base KITCHEN INTERIORS Prittlewell Interiors KNITTING Knitting Emporium LANDSCAPING Grassroots Landscaping James Dalton Landscaping LIFESTYLE ASSISTANT Greta

Est. Sept 2005. Circulation 5,100

Oracle-on-Sea

February 2015

ORACLE Leigh, Chalkwell & Southend Conservation Area Est. Oct 2006. Circulation 6,700

6

Oracle Competition

WIN! A garden design package worth £1400 with Earth Designs

Oracle Competition

WIN! A garden design package worth £1400 with Earth Designs

Local Issues

Budget for 2015/2016

15 38

Local Issues

Recipe Page

Budget for 2015/2016

Spicy Fish Tacos

Recipe Page

Council News

Spicy Fish Tacos

Plans for 2015

First Choice

Come and see the largest display of Villeroy & Boch products in Southend!

Bathrooms

Open Mon-Fri 9-5:30pm • Sat 9-5pm • (1pm Wednesdays)

33-35 Spa Road, Hockley, Essex, SS5 4AZ

The complete Bathroom Solution from Design to Completion FINALIST: BATHROOM RETAILER OF THE YEAR 2015

Council News

Plans for 2015

Open Day

Saturday 7th March

01702 204907

www.firstchoicebathrooms.com • www.facebook.com/pages/first-choice-bathrooms

from 10am until 12 noon

Front cover image by www.earthdesigns.co.uk

13 43 31

Front cover image by www.earthdesigns.co.uk

To advertise in ORACLE call

01702 393838

34 35 16 25 11 24 21 17 29 44 33 33 36 30 4

MARBLE WORKTOP Abbey Marble PAINTING & DECORATING Essex Brush & Trowel PET CARE Bubbles Pet Care SCHOOLS Thorpe Hall School St. Michael's School SOLICITORS White & Co TILING MCG Tiling TREE SERVICES Treefella Tree-King TUTORING First Class Learning TV & VIDEO SERVICES HB Electric UPHOLSTERY George Evans

33 6 23 1,18 2 8 3 37 19 27 41 4

ORACLE - the smart little glossy mags for Southend

Reach a 29,000 readership in Leigh, Chalkwell, Southend Conservation Area & Thorpe Bay hungry for your business Call for a Media Pack or visit www.oraclepublications.co.uk

To advertise in ORACLE call 01702 393838 All rights reserved. No part of Oracle Publications UK Ltd. may be reproduced or used in any form or by any means either wholly or in part without prior permission of the publisher. Oracle Publications UK Ltd. are editorially autonomous and the opinions expressed are not those of the publisher unless expressly stated.

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New Kitchens & Bedrooms Call Now for a free Home Survey and Quotation

Showroom: Company House, Stock Road, Southend on Sea, SS2 5QF

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01702 461228