Oracle Thorpe Bay November 2017

November 2017

Your all-seeing local

ORACLE

Thorpe Bay, Southchurch, the Garrison & Shoeburyness

WIN! A Cliff House Clinic treatment worth £129!

SPECIAL REPORT! EXCLUSIVE! Inside Story on the NHS Nursing Crisis Local Issues: On Patrol with Essex Police Marine Unit

Peter Howard Properties together with Marcus Baum Solicitors have created the perfect package.

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T 01702 780 900 W www.peterhowardproperties.co.uk E info@peterhowardproperties.co.uk

If you have instructed another estate agent on a sole agency basis, the terms of that agreement must be considered to avoid paying two fees.

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November 2017

ORACLE

WELCOME

As you have probably heard in the news recently, the retail sector is suffering a lot with online competition, etc. Sadly, our town has seen a number of well-established family businesses close this year. Please bear that in mind as we fast approach the Christmas period and give our local retailers and traders as much support as possible.

In this month’s issue, I have decided to print a special report on the NHS. I was sent an article by a Mental Health nurse who obviously feels so strongly about what is happening within our treasured NHS, that she has written about her personal experiences and concerns regarding the present nursing profession.

This month’s competition is for a treatment worth £129 at Cliff House Clinic, specialists in non-invasive aesthetics for both men and women. Win a Collagen Wand, non-invasive, skin tightening and rejuvenation treatment with the amazing photo-dynamic light therapy for the face and neck. For more details on this treatment and other treatments from Cliff House Clinic, visit: w ww.cliffhouseclinic.co.uk or call: 01702 431970.

To enter, please send in your name and contact details to: Oracle/Cliff House Clinic Competition, Oracle House, 11 Clarence Road, Southend SS1 1AN or email: info@oraclepublications.co.uk by 30th November 2017.

Good luck!

Emma Wynne-Morgan Publisher

01702 393838

Oracle House, 11 Clarence Road, Southend-on-Sea, Essex SS1 1AN www.oraclepublications.co.uk info@oraclepublications.co.uk Oracle Publications and Creative Media @oracle_essex Printed by Printwize Ltd, Witham CM8 3BN – 01376 500900

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CONTENTS Ruling the Waves

Local Issues by the Essex Police Marine Unit

A Woman for all Seasons

9/10 16

Salon advice by Craig Smith

SPECIAL REPORT! NHS Vitals Dropping

25/26

Inside Story by a registered NHS nurse

Mounting Costs

32

Apple & Pecan Cake with Treacle Frosting

40

Top of the Drops

44

Council news by Cllr Ron Woodley

Judy's Recipe Page

Latest from the grapevine by Wendy Lee

Pitch Imperfect 50 Sport update by Andrew Strutt

Brainbox 56 What's On 60 Your Money Or Your Life 63 Money Talks with Clive Rowe

Useful Numbers 68 Advertiser Directory 70 Advertorials Dental Care Group 13 Cliff House Clinic 15 Essex Equity Release Advice Centre 23 High-Tech Membrane Roofing 36/37 Shoeburyness High School 64/65

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 is editorially autonomous and the opinions expressed are not those of the publisher unless expressly stated.

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TO LAUNCH OUR BRAND NEW CLINIC

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How to invest in residential property and make a profit The private rental sector in and around the Southend area is booming, with demand for all types of property far outstripping supply. This means that very attractive opportunities exist for new and indeed experienced landlords to invest in flats and houses for letting to professional tenants.

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November 2017

LOCAL ISSUES

Ruling the waves Based in Burnham, Essex Police Marine Unit is responsible for all tidal waters under British jurisdiction and within the Essex Police area around 350 square miles from the furthest point in Mistley (near Manningtree) to just past the Dartford Crossing on the River Thames, plus 12 miles out in the north sea.

waterways, rivers, lakes, canals, reservoirs and seasonal floods within the force area. Officers are required to patrol the waterways 365 days a year to carry out stop-checks and gather information.

Officers patrol most days of the year to detect crime on the water and deal with safety issues regarding leisure and commercial craft, they also enforce local byelaw speed limits, dangerous navigation, intercept drugs, escort warships, enforce event safety zones and attend medical emergencies.

As well as officers making regular patrols and being out of the water, the website www.stolenboats.org.uk is supported by Essex Police in a bid to combat boat and engine thefts in particular. It lists known stolen boats and other equipment so owners can register their boats and prospective buyers can check it in order to make sure the boat they want to buy is not stolen.

There are a lot of key sites along the Essex coastline that we patrol by water-based and shoreside patrols. These include a number of estuaries, inland

Currently, at a local level, speeding and marine related theft are the major issues dealt with by the marine unit. Days of action around the coast have supported the successful prosecutions of owners operating craft at excess speed or in a dangerous manner.

Hot water

Another main element of the unit’s work is its Marine Watch scheme. It is the equivalent of Neighbourhood Watch but on water and offers support and reassurance to a number of people who use the waterways in and around the district and Essex, as well as helping to prevent and reduce marine crime. It also aims to improve officers’ relationships with people in the marine community.

Release the Kraken!

Essex Police Marine Unit promotes Project Kraken which is a National Crime Agency, Police, and Border Force initiative to increase vigilance along the UK’s coastline and maritime environment.

November 2017 www.oraclepublications.co.uk

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Photograph by Essex Police Air Support Unit

T here are nearly 20,000 miles of coastline, and a complex network of estuaries, navigable rivers, coves, inlets, ports and harbours, all of which can be exploited by serious criminals and terrorists. W e want the public to report any unusual or suspicious behaviour in these and other maritime environments.

No matter how trivial that it may seem; if it looks out of the ordinary, we want to know about it.

Officers from the NCA, Border Force and Police will carry out various activities around the country, visiting local maritime communities and attending events to let the public know what we’re looking for and how they can help. The help we receive from the public and our partners gives us greater intelligence on how serious criminals and terrorists exploit the coast and waterways. We can use this to pursue and disrupt them and help the general maritime community deal effectively with threats.

Examples include:

• Vessel crew who show signs of nervousness or a

lack of awareness of maritime protocols/customs.

• Vessels showing signs of unusual modification or •

minor damage.

Increased activity at isolated coastal locations or at unusual times of the day.

• Attempts to signal to vessels offshore or guide them into an unusual location.

• Strange patterns of payment, such as large •

amounts of cash.

Harbour Masters and those involved in the day-today running of the facilities as well as the many thousands of people who use the waters in and around our county. In addition to the pleasure craft, we also have very close ties with the smaller commercial vessels such as the pilot boats, fishermen and offshore wind-farm workers.

Between the devil & the deep blue sea In addition to the marinas, harbours and waterways, we also take responsibility for security related intelligence gathering for the Essex coastline, which at 350 miles is arguably the longest in the United Kingdom. Many vessels travel between the mainland and continental Europe with minimal legislation in place to regulate their movements. Without our presence it would be fair to say that these small ports would be totally unpoliced border crossing points.

If you have anything to report or would like any further information on the Marine Unit, please call Essex Police Marine Unit on: 01621 782121 or email: marineu@essex.pnn.police.uk In an emergency always dial 999.

O

by 5031@essex.pnn.police.uk

Essex Police Marine Unit 01621 782121 e: marineu@essex.pnn.police.uk

People testing site security or an unusual interest in site structures and wharfs.

Essex Police Marine Unit are responsible for the gathering of intelligence from the general maritime community which effectively means the owners and users of all pleasure craft such as yachts and powered vessels that are found within the marinas, harbour and waterways of Essex.

The unit has the responsibility for visiting the eighty plus marinas where they liaise with the

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November 2017

Advertorial

Dental implants – make your smile happy!

There’s much hype when you visit the dentist at the moment surrounding dental implants. There is no doubt that missing teeth affect our confidence and ability to eat the foods we enjoy, but are dental implants really as good as your natural teeth?

We asked patients of Southend Dental Care what they thought about their recent implant treatment and this is what they had to say …

Dennis “I had ground my teeth for years and had worn my teeth right down and my options where dentures or implants and I chose implants. It was a fantastic job, how they do it, I don’t know!

There was no pain or discomfort so I do kick myself for not coming before!”

Jo “When you get older, you think I used to have nice teeth but life happens, so what can I do to get them back? I came here.

Dr Ali really cares and he’s wonderful. It’s a

different world now to the one I lived in before. You want to smile at the world, you wouldn’t believe the difference it makes to your life!”

Carol “I had an innate fear of dentists. I had always wanted but never had good teeth, so after meeting Dr Ali, I felt now was the time to do it.

I’ve had them in so far for 18 months and had no problems at all. It’s funny for me to say but it was actually an enjoyable experience!”

If you would like to find out more about dental implants, and how they could benefit you, visit: www.southenddentalcare.co.uk/dental-implantsessex where you can watch the patients’ interviews and book a FREE consultation to begin your journey to a happier smile.

01702 899476 Unit 2, 4 Southchurch Road, Southend-on-Sea SS1 2NE e: southendcoordinator@ dentalcaregroup.org www.SouthendDentalCare.co.uk

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Deep tissue massage • Light Swedish massage (includes facial massage) Over 30 years’ experience

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November 2017

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Cliff House Clinic is now recognised as the premier clinic within the South East for the highly-advanced, bespoke treatment programmes it has developed in the field of Non-invasive Facial & Body Aesthetics for both women and men.

Cliff House Clinic has a fundamental policy: everyone is different and each of our clients should benefit from an individually-based treatment programme accordingly. We understand that each of our clients has his/her own specific requirements and aspirations.

Our expertise, experience and qualifications allow us to design bespoke treatment programmed for every client, utilising the wide range of state-of-the-art, specialist equipment and products at our clinic.

All our practitioners are qualified to the highest level and have many years of experience in the field of aesthetics, so we certainly know what we are doing!

We take pride in our professionalism and particularly in our one-to-one relationships with our clients.

The fact that we are acknowledged by Vogue magazine may speak for itself, but for further confirmation, just take a look at the testimonials from our customers on: www.cliffhouseclinic.co.uk We will not treat any client without first undertaking a detailed and careful, consultation, so please take advantage of our FREE consultation offer. You can meet our expert team and get free, friendly advice on all of our treatments in our fresh, comfortable clinic without any obligation.

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A woman for all seasons

SALON

As the season turns into winter, your hair needs plenty of TLC (Tender Lovin’ Craig). So here are my tips to hot-looking hair despite the cold weather …

Keep it under your hat

When the temperature drops, hair can become dry and uncontrollable. The cold can diminish its natural silkiness, making it harder to style. ‘Why is that, Craig?’ I hear you ask. Well, let me tell you …

A stylish titfer is essential on a cold winter’s day, particularly if you want to keep your ears toasty, but it can play havoc with your barnet. Not only can it create fly-away issues but a hat can also plaster your hair down to your scalp. Avoid this by using a volumising spray before you blow-dry your hair.

For best results, hang your head upside-down when applying. Oh, and carry a small spray in your bag and give your hair a little spritz when you remove your headwear.

As winter progresses, we tend to move between two extremes – low moisture in cool, outside air and warm, interior conditions in our homes, offices and shops. If you pull on a woolly hat or baseball cap to keep your bonce warm, the material rubs against the hair fibres, creating static. Et voila – when you doff your hat, your hair can look dull and in some instances, super frizzy.

This constant ‘shocking’ of your hair disrupts its natural structure and damages the cuticles, leading to brittle, dull-looking hair.

If that’s the case for you, invest in some rich conditioning treatments with oil extracts. These will prevent damage and make distressed hair smoother.

Simply add a few drops to your regular shampoo or work the oil through the ends of your damp hair after washing. This will keep it elastic and glossy.

Solve the problem of flyaway hair – hats are the worst culprits for this – by working styling mousse into your tresses. You can also try extra-gloss wax or hair oil.

Keep a cool head If you start to notice a dry, itchy scalp, that’s a sure sign that you are not producing enough sebum for the hair follicles. A decent dandruff shampoo will stop you sporting a dusting of snow on your shoulders and continued use, especially when the air is dry and very cold, will help to keep dandruff at bay.

O

by Craig Smith

Director of Grateful Heads Hair Salon, Southend Providing expert hair care to Essex for 30 years.

Isn’t it time you made your head grateful?

01702 340965 32 Alexandra Street, Southend SS1 1BU 16

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Advertorial

These are a few of my favourite things …

Spangles, Black Jacks, Sherbet Dabs, aniseed balls, gobstoppers and Jubblies.

12” tellies and the new adverts – Murray mints, Farrow’s peas, Shell and Esso Blue.

Beat the Clock, Open the Box, and Hancocks’ Half Hour. Cowboys and Indians, ‘Hi-Ho, Silver – away!’, The Lone Ranger and Tonto. Saturday morning pictures and Sunday school. Welfare orange juice, the lemonade van and the winkle man. Airfix kits, Meccano, Hornby train sets and scoubidous. Steam trains and trolley buses. Radio Luxembourg, The Ovaltineys, Two-Way Family Favourites, Billy Cotton Band Show and Round the Horne. Conkers, knock down ginger, hopscotch and jumpers for goalposts.

The Dandy, The Beano, The Eagle, Desperate Dan, The Bash St Kids and Dan Dare. Spam fritters, proper pie and mash, and Wagon Wheels. Waiting outside the pub with a glass of lemonade and a packet of Smith’s crisps with the blue twist of salt!

I simply remember my favorite things All those things will be recalled by us of a certain age, but I guess it’s okay for us Baby Boomers to look back with affection to those halcyon days of childhood – much better than looking forward with trepidation to the straitened days of old age!

With the ever increasing cost of living to be met from an ever decreasing income, depleted pensions, unpaid mortgages and credit cards, perhaps we should start recalling the other ‘orrible things from the past – freezing cold lino, ice on the inside of windows, coal, fog, outside lavs, hand-me-downs, a spoonful of malt, Vicks and Beechams powders! This nostalgia ain’t what it used to be, you know!

And then I don’t feel so bad But it doesn’t have to be all doom and gloom – if you’re having trouble making ends meet, want to make later life more comfortable, or maintain the lifestyle you’ve become used to, then why not unlock the cash tied up in your home with an Equity Release Scheme? It’s not suitable for everyone, but don’t you owe it to yourself to find out?

An Independent Equity Release Adviser will guide you through the pros and cons and advise you on one of the many schemes that could suit you – someone like Essex Equity Release Advice Centre – a local, family-run firm, specialising in the financial concerns of retired people for 20 years.

by Ron Radway, Financial Consultant

Essex Equity Release Advice Centre 01702 410016

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Essex Equity Release Advice Centre For a free consultation and friendly, professional advice, call 01702 410016

www.essexequityrelease.co.uk November 2017 www.oraclepublications.co.uk

FSA No. 313397

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25 Years’ Experience

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November 2017

al ! i ec rt p s po re

INSIDE STORY

NHS vitals dropping The nursing profession in the UK is in a dire state. This is a grave situation that will affect all of us at some point in our lives as whether for ourselves or our loved ones, we all rely on and expect good service from the NHS.

2017, a change which left student nurses facing the challenge of funding their university fees.

As a registered NHS, mental health nurse I have spent the last 28 years caring for patients in Essex and London. Over this time I have learnt to adapt to the constant reforms and changes that occur within the NHS. Changes that are mostly a directive from the Department of Health and ultimately the prevailing government who may simply be underdoing changes set by a previous government.

He is not wrong when we consider the mountain trainee nurses have to climb in comparison to other undergraduate students. Their training requires them to complete 2,300 of clinical practice hours by the end of their programme. Consequently, this means that in addition to academic study time, student nurses will spend much time working in hospitals and community placements.

One local source believes that the drop in applications is likely to be closer to 48% this current year – Jonathan Ashworth, Labour Shadow Health Secretary recently said, “Cuts to training places and the disastrous pay cap have pushed nurses to the brink”.

Ultimately these changes affect the commissioning arrangements, the area of funding that affects local services and how treatment is delivered. As a result, healthcare professionals are unable to expedite referrals to other services in a timely manner, therefore patients suffer.

Don’t call the midwife Latest figures across NHS trusts show there are approximately 11,500 nursing and midwifery vacancies. An air of pessimism can be added to the dilemma when consideration is given to the decline in the number of applications from student nurses – according to UCAS numbers are down by 9,990 which is almost 20% on last year’s figures.

This is thought to directly relate to the change in funding announced by the government in January

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A bad break In addition, trainee nurses only get six weeks’ break a year while average students get in excess of 24 weeks (depending upon their course). It’s easy to see how the pressure builds for trainee nurses as, in addition to the aforementioned academic and clinical commitments, they often have to take on additional forms of employment in order to fund their training and cover their living costs. It is therefore unsurprising that recent reports have confirmed a 1-in-4 attrition rate for nursing students in some areas.

Janet Davies, General Secretary of the Royal College of Nursing has said, ”The nursing workforce is already in crisis and if fewer nurses graduate in 2020 it will exacerbate what is already an unsustainable situation.”

Nurse back to health?

Blood loss Other significant factors that impact on the nursing crisis include the prediction that half the current nursing workforce will be eligible for retirement by 2020. When this is coupled with the uncertainty of ‘Brexit’, we find fewer nurses from the EU are applying to work in the UK since the Brexit vote.

We have already seen a steady loss of nurses; it is thought that nearly 4,000 EU nurses have already left UK nursing posts since June 2016.

Over-burdened healthcare workers are under increased pressure to complete even more paperwork, including the revalidation process for registered nurses – a compulsory action set by the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) every three years. This appears to be resulting in a substantial decline in older nurses revalidating their positions.

The Royal College of Nursing is demanding action to

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stop senior nurses quitting the NHS, claiming that the number of senior nurses leaving the NHS has now doubled.

Sadly, on a regular basis, I hear experienced and dedicated colleagues state that they are opting to take early retirement. They cite the demoralising pressure of work as a contributor to their own ill health and, fearful for their own wellbeing, they exit in their masses. As a highly skilled clinician I fear that this exodus will leave many junior nurses without the adequate number of skilled and competent teachers and role models from which to grow and learn.

The NHS is of course concerned by the current attrition rates and acknowledge that they are “Bleeding experienced nurses” who have opted for early retirements. To date, however, their attempts to encourage nurses to stay on or come back is failing miserably. by a registered NHS nurse

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November 2017

10% OF F Fo

r OAP’s on Wednesday m ornings

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advertorial

Has Your Double Glazing Steamed Up? Established for over a decade Cloudy2Clear windows have become a leading company for glass replacement.

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Mounting costs

COUNCIL

Whether delivering, collecting or simply parking, there are often developers and companies supplying equipment or materials who seem to think that it is perfectly okay to drive onto the pavements, causing all sorts of damage, risking harm to our residents.

Harm to residents as a result of damaged paving slabs and kerbs is a serious issue and especially concerning when accidents involve the elderly, who’s resulting injuries tend to be more severe. Apart from the obvious emotional distress and various potential costs for those involved, injuries sustained in these circumstances also have considerable financial implications, for instance: medical fees, respite care, investigations and administration.

On top of everything, the council cannot afford the yearly financial cost of repairing damage to the footways, which currently stands at approximately a quarter of a million pounds.

Street time It seems overcoming this problem is not easy.

Proving who caused the damage is the barrier to recovering any costs. Although photographs are taken before and after developments take place to highlight any damage, they do not indicate who actually committed the offence, which in law is required before legal action can be taken. It is amazing how many developers say, “I saw nothing

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guv”, when it comes to helping the council find the perpetrators.

At the moment it seems the legal position is vague, so I am therefore seeking advice from various government departments as to how, going forward, we can find some sort of legal position which ensures our public footways are protected.

Personally, I believe it is the responsibility of the householder or developer to ensure that footway protection is in place before any work is carried out. One thing is for sure – we cannot allow this thoughtlessness to continue.

A bone to pick … up It is also very disappointing, when walking out of your front door, to see litter, dogs mess, overgrown shrubs and uncut verges. We are very lucky in Southend-onSea to have award-winning parks and beaches, so it is upsetting that, as a tourist town, the very people who enjoy our hospitality leave most of their rubbish behind when leaving the beaches or our parks, and we as taxpayers have to pick up the bill.

Although Veolia initially had hiccups when taking over the contract for our waste collection and street cleaning, it is pleasing to note that our streets are now relatively clean and litter-free.

O

by Cllr Ron Woodley BERA Chairman and Independent Councillor for Thorpe Ward

01702 588662 e: ronwoodley@hotmail.co.uk

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November 2017

Your Stove is waiting for you!

Photo for illustration purposes only

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Let Natural Light Shine Through

Lifet Gua ime ra App ntee rove d

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Maximise your natural light with a skylight With every Skylight High-Tech will install the world leading flat roof system.

A High-Tech roof is dimensionally stable, solar reflective and is unaffected by climate change. Our roofs are maintenance free and resistant to moss and algae. Brochures and further technical information is available on request. When removing roof structure for roof lanterns steel flitch beams are installed for weight loadings. All roofing and building works are carried out by our own craftsman and all labour and products are guaranteed.

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Sell Your Home From ÂŁ995 Your property, Our passion

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FOOD

Apple & Pecan Cake with Treacle Frosting

This is an easy all-in-one cake that’s great if you are serving morning coffee or afternoon tea. I use regular dessert apples such as Cox’s but any will work, just not cooking apples. Enjoy!

Method:

Ingredients (serves ?):

3. Add the rapeseed or sunflower oil, eggs and apples, and beat everything together.

• 300g plain flour • 1 tsp ground cinnamon • ½ tsp bicarbonate of soda • 140g dark brown soft sugar • 50g golden caster sugar • 250ml rapeseed or sunflower oil • 4 eggs • 3 unpeeled apples, coarsely grated • 100g pecan nuts, roughly chopped

5. Allow to cool for a few mins in the tin then remove and cool completely on a wire rack.

6. For the icing, beat all the ingredients together then chill until the mixture is thick but spreadable. Spread half the icing on top of one cake, sandwich with the other and spread the remaining icing on top.

• 100g butter, softened • 50g dark soft brown sugar • 1 tbsp black treacle or golden syrup • 200g tub full-fat soft cheese • Sugared pecans (optional)

ORACLE In association with Countrywide SE LLP 40

2. Put the flour, cinnamon and bicarbonate of soda in a big bowl, then stir in the sugars, making sure there are no lumps of sugar.

4. Fold in the pecans then divide the mixture between the tins and bake for 45 mins or until a skewer comes out clean.

For the icing

estate planning

1. Heat the oven to 150°C/fan 130°C/Gas Mark 2.

Line two 20cm cake tins.

7. If you want to decorate it, sugared pecans would look lovely on top.

by Judy Barden

O

Next month: Sausage Stuffing Cake for Christmas Day Will Writing • Power of Attorney • Trusts • Funeral Plans Will Updating & Storage Facilities • Probate Administration Call Clive Rowe on: 01702 393838 e: crowe@countrywide-se.com w: www.countrywide-se.co.uk Oracle House, 11 Clarence Road, Southend SS1 1AN

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November 2017

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CLIMATEC Home Improvements

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November 2017

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43

Top of the drops

DRINK

As a wine merchant for many years, I am often asked which my favourite wines are.

Generally, I explain that it depends on the occasion but as we move into the darker evenings and more intimate social surroundings, I am happy to unveil the secret of my favourite red wines this season …

With over 800 grape varieties and 20 classified wine regions, Italy’s wine scene is a glorious adventure from grape to glass. Tuscany – located on the Italian north-western coast – and Piedmont – further northwest on the borders of Switzerland and France – represent Italy’s premium regions for classics.

The Tuscan Barolo is a dry, full-bodied, magisterial wine made from Nebbiolo grapes in the Barolo area of Piedmont. It has complex aromas and flavours of strawberries, tar, herbs, and earth, as well as a firm, tannic structure. Barolo is aged for a minimum of 18 months in barrel and released after 3 years. Riservas are aged for a minimum of 5 years – both are perfect with roasted partridge, pheasant and grouse.

Barbaresco is similar to Barolo, from the same grape in a nearby area, but lighter in body and slightly more approachable. Barbaresco is less tannic due to the climatic and terroir differences which mean the grapes ripen sooner and have thinner skins. It has an aroma of roses or violets with cherry fruit and notes

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of truffles and fennel. I would recommend this wine to enjoy with venison, duck breast and guineafowl.

From Piedmont, Chianti is made mainly using Sangiovese grapes and Classico is often the best, with Riserva being more concentrated in style but pricier. Expect this wine to be very dry, mediumbodied, moderately tannic, with a tart cherry flavour.

Perfect with pasta with tomato sauce, ossobuco, leg of lamb and pizza, of course!

Lightning in a bottle However, Brunello di Montalcino really is the pinnacle of Sangiovese. Full-bodied, intense and concentrated with a complexity of preserved sour cherry, dried oregano, aged balsamic, fig, tobacco and leather – this is my favourite red wine in the world! Perfect with roast lamb, pot roast pheasant, bistecca alla Fiorentina – or a chunk of Parmesan if you need an excuse to open the bottle!

by Wendy Lee Managing Director of Wine de Vine Ltd

O

Wine de Vine Ltd – Wine Merchants 01702 308228 / 07958 600725 e: info@winedevine.co www.winedevine.co

Wine de Vine Ltd Wine Merchants

01702 308 228 / 07958 600 725 email: info@winedevine.co

winedevine.co

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November 2017

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November 2017 www.oraclepublications.co.uk

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November 2017

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JIM DICKENS

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November 2017

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49

SPORT

Pitch imperfect Now a third of the way through the season, Southend United are still yet to return to the heights they achieved in the 2016/17 campaign, and continue to disappoint after so much optimism back in August. The troubles though have not just been on and off the pitch, but with the pitch itself …

Since the first game of the season, the turf at Roots Hall has been cutting up badly with large chunks of grass and mud often coming up after slide tackles and shots. This is apparently because the roots are growing sideways instead of down, meaning they can’t reach the nutrients to make them strong enough to handle ninety minutes of football every other week. That these problems have developed since Southend sacked their long-serving groundsman is perhaps no coincidence.

Despite all this, The Shrimpers remain unbeaten at home this term with three wins and three draws in the league. However, with the pitch in such a bad state, the football hasn’t been of the highest quality at home and, except for the opening day win over Blackburn, fans have had to endure inconsistent displays at home with narrow wins over Blackpool and AFC Wimbledon, and have been held against League One strugglers, Plymouth Argyle, Rochdale and Northampton Town.

Losing grounds Away from home the results have been even more disappointing, with just the one win coming at Fleetwood. The other six have seen one draw and five defeats with The Blues conceding a massive twenty goals on the road – the worst record in the division.

Admittedly Southend have faced some of the better sides away from home, including table-topping Wigan Athletic and second-placed Shrewsbury Town, but the manner of the defeats has angered fans with the side often capitulating after promising starts.

Southend also haven’t been helped by the fact that several defenders have been out – injured for all or part of the season – including Michael Turner, Rob Kiernan and Ben Coker. This has led to Michael Timlin filling in at left back and talismanic midfielder Ryan Leonard occasionally in at centre back. Results are expected to improve on the pitch when these players return, but if they don’t then action may need to be taken off it.

by Andrew Strutt

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BRAINBOX 2

5

HOT SPOT – Where am I?

8

7

3

2

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7 6

4

2 3

5

9

1 1

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INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR DECORATING

2 8

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1

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9

BASE

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Last month’s solutions: HOT SPOT – Christ Church, Colbert

Avenue, Southend-on-Sea WORD LADDER – BELLBALLBALDBANDHAND CONUNDRUM – BELLTOWER

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November 2017

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November 2017 www.oraclepublications.co.uk

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Monday morning ticket line?

Not on my time!

Make queuing at stations a thing of the past. Pre-buy and load multiple tickets onto one secure, durable card.

Don’t hang about. Switch to a free c2c Smartcard* today at c2c-online.co.uk

c2c Smartcard. Click. Tap. Relax. *Terms apply, go to c2c-online.co.uk for details.

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November 2017

November 2017 www.oraclepublications.co.uk

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Photo by Bradley Barker

WHAT’S ON North Shoebury, Barling & Little Wakering WI Every 1st Monday of the month (excluding bank holidays), 2pm. St Mary’s Church Hall, North Shoebury Road (by Asda). All welcome.

WI Great Wakering Evening Meeting Every 3rd Monday, 8pm. The Memorial Hall, High Street, Great Wakering SS3 OEF. 20th November – ‘Discovering Old Buttons’ with Suzanna Barr.

Seafront Fireworks FREE Saturday 4th, 11th & 18th November. Marine Parade, Southend SS1. Enjoy a range of teas, coffees, wines and beers in Twenty One, Southend’s newest cultural café and events space. For more information, visit: www.visitsouthend.co.uk/whatson/1797/Free-Seafront-Fireworks Big Beach Bang Saturday 4th November, 7.30–9pm.

East Beach, Shoeburyness SS3 9AE. Enjoy a spectacular fireworks display. £5 online purchase/£6 on the gate.

Children 5 and under FREE. All ticket sales are donated to local charities and causes. For more information visit: www.southendroundtable.com Lunchtime Recitals – Richard Evans & Naoko Inoue Piano Duet FREE Wednesday 15th November, 12–1pm.

Council Chambers, Civic Centre, Victoria Ave, Southend SS2 6ER. Retiring collection. For information, call: 01702 215624 or visit: www.southend.gov.uk/concerts Christmas Craft Fair FREE Sunday 19th November, 11am–5pm. The Cliffs Pavilion, Station Road, Southend SS0 7RA. Over 40 handmade businesses, face painting, cards, wreaths, baubles, cakes, cookies and much more.

For more information, visit: www.louisesevents.co.uk Leigh Lights FREE Friday 24th November, from 5pm.

Yuletide parade, food stalls, fun fair, Santa’s grotto and much more. For more information visit: www. leighonseatowncouncil.gov.uk/events/164/Leigh-Lights Love Letter to Southend FREE 15th September–30th November, Tuesday–Saturday, 10am–5pm. Beecroft Art Gallery, Victoria Avenue, Southend SS2 6EX. Unique cards produced by the local community. For more information, visit: www.southendmuseums.co.uk Christmas Fayre FREE Saturday 2nd December, 12– 4pm. Leigh Community Centre, 73 Elm Road, Southend SS9 1SP. Over 55 stalls with crafts, food, gifts and more.

Face painting and princess appearances for children.

Stalls available from £10. For more information, email: enquiries@leighcommunitycentre.com

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November 2017 www.oraclepublications.co.uk

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MONEY TALKS

Your money or your life?

Who really knows what I would want to happen next? The Doctor doesn’t, the Local Authority doesn’t, nor does the Sheriff Court. Only my family knows …

Whether old or young, capacity to manage your affairs can be lost for many reasons, such as a sudden accident or medical condition. With over 850,000 people in the UK currently living with dementia (and rising), ensuring your loved ones have the ability to make decisions for you is essential, and although many people understand the advantages of having a Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) in place to handle financial affairs, they put off instructing a Health & Welfare LPA, seeing it as less important.

But ask yourself this: what would concern you most if you were unable to make decisions yourself? Would it be whether your money was being spent wisely?

Or would it be where you lived? What you ate? What care and medical treatment you were given?

Here is a true account from a client who had not come to us in time to put a Health & Welfare LPA in place: Mum was admitted to hospital and following a lengthy stay, Social Services – along with the Local Authorities – compiled a health report along with an assessment for care. Naturally, her children wanted

ORACLE estate planning

In association with Countrywide SE LLP

to be involved in this process and requested that they be consulted with the view to wanting to ensure that the care package would be what Mum would have wanted. Not only were they not invited to any of these meetings to decide Mum’s fate, the authorities also refused to reveal the contents of the health report to her own children. All decisions were made without any of her immediate family being present!

This is not an isolated case. Are you happy to allow strangers to make all of the decisions about your care? Or would you rather entrust that responsibility to your loved ones? Only by having a Health & Welfare LPA in place and having communicated your wishes to your Attorneys, can you maximise your chances of having your wishes followed in the future.

A weight off your mind So make yours NOW! – while you still have mental capacity, and sleep safe knowing that your wishes will be carried out by the ones you love and trust.

For more information or for friendly, free advice on all aspects of estate planning, please give me a call on: 01702 393838.

by Clive Rowe

O

Estate Planning Consultant in association with Countrywide SE LLP Will Writing • Power of Attorney • Trusts • Funeral Plans Will Updating & Storage Facilities • Probate Administration

Call Clive Rowe on: 01702 393838 e: crowe@countrywide-se.com w: www.countrywide-se.co.uk Oracle House, 11 Clarence Road, Southend SS1 1AN

November 2017 www.oraclepublications.co.uk

63

Advertorial

Shoeburyness Highest!

It has been a tough year in education with more rigorous assessment at GCSE level, which saw national figures for the percentage of students gaining C grades and above at GCSE fall. However, at Shoeburyness High School Community Academy, we recorded our best ever GCSE results, placing Shoeburyness High School well above the national average and a Progress 8 score of 0.06 which was above the national expected progress.

Our core subjects absolutely smashed previous records in a year which saw national averages plummet. In English, our students achieved 76% 9–4 (above national). In Maths, they achieved 65% 9–4 (above national). And in Science, they achieved 74% A*–C (above national). In addition to this,

another 12 subjects achieved A*–C grades above the national averages. This is an unprecedented and phenomenal achievement by our students and we are very proud of what they have shown our community can achieve!

This year saw the two newer performance measures in schools across the country – Progress 8 and Attainment 8 being applied. These indicators take the best 8 GCSE grades students achieve in the following subjects:

• English and Maths (each counted double) • 3 from Science, Languages, History or Geography • 3 others Each qualification is then awarded a number, 1 being the lowest and 9 being the highest. To calculate the Attainment 8 score, these are simply added together. Our school average came out at 43.2, which is an average of a C grade at GCSE. For the Progress 8 score this is then averaged out across all 8 subjects and then taken away from their target.

If they end up with a 0, then they have made the expected progress in all 8 subjects, when averaged out. This is then averaged out across all students in the school, to give a final Progress 8 score for the school. We know 0 doesn’t sound very exciting, but we can assure you that it is! All students are set very challenging targets at the end of KS2 and in order to meet them, they have to make significant progress over their five years at secondary school.

Here at Shoeburyness, we have been preparing for this new performance measure over the past four years, ensuring that our students have the

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November 2017

right selection of GCSE courses in order to achieve success in Progress 8. We now have more students than ever taking double Science, History, Geography, Spanish and French GCSEs; all to make sure they succeed in this new measure.

This year we recorded a +0.06 across the whole school! Again, we realise that doesn’t sound very exciting, but pause for a moment in order to realise what that means: It means that almost every single one of the students in Shoeburyness High School has hit his or her targets in every GCSE subject they took last year!

We are so proud of them!

Subject Successes Several other subject areas reported fantastic grades at A*–C grade at key stage 4 this year too: Art: 96% (with 24% at A*–A grade) Film: 83% (with 13% at A*–A grade) Music: 96% (with 12% at A*–A grade) Textiles: 87% (with 13% at A*–A grade) Dance: 100%

This again, is due to our students attending school on a regular basis and working hard in lessons, fully supported by our committed teaching staff.

Last year we achieved our highest ever attendance in the history of Shoeburyness High School with 95.9%. We celebrated with 234 students who had never missed a day’s education throughout the year.

As you can guess, we have now set a new target of 96.0% for 2017/18.

It really has been a breath-taking achievement by the students of Shoeburyness High School Academy this year and at no other time has our school motto been so appropriate – Expect Excellence!

Hospitality: 100% Travel: 100%

Attendance At Shoeburyness High School we place great emphasis on our students achieving an excellent attendance level. The reason for this is clearly shown above, in our best results ever. In last month’s Oracle we gave details of our Year 12 and Year 13 achievements: We recorded an overall 98% pass rate, and the following subjects achieved A*–C at A2:

Our challenge now is to beat this next year for our 14th consecutive year of increased achievement.

O

by Dr Fran Haddock Deputy Headteacher

SOUTHEND EAST COMMUNITY ACADEMY TRUST

Film: 100% Textiles: 100% Business: 73% History: 73%

Shoeburyness High School 01702 292286

Law: 73%

schooloffice@shoeburyness.southend.sch.uk

English:

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67%

English Literature: 67% History: 73% Law: 73% Physics: 67% Sociology:

67%

Travel: 67%

STOP PRESS! Year 11 into 12 Information Evening will be held on:

Thursday 9th November, 7–9pm

November 2017 www.oraclepublications.co.uk

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Fats Domino (1928–2017)

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