Oracle November 2022 - updated

Your all-seeing local

November 2022

ORACLE Est.2005

Thorpe Bay, Southchurch, Garrison, Shoeburyness, Leigh, Chalkwell, Westcliff & Southend Conservation Area. Circulation: 14,000

COMPETITION WIN! A meal for two including a bottle of wine at The Seafood Shack MOTORING Costs of running an electric car

Southend's LOCAL ISSUES

High Street Saga!

SPOTLIGHT Haven Community Hub

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November 2022

ORACLE

WELCOME

James Miller, leader of the new local Confelicity Party raises the subject of the ongoing saga of Southend’s unfortunate High Street. Over the years Oracle has run many articles written by different members of the public highlighting their concerns, ideas and thoughts regarding our untidy High Street.

We all live in hope!

10 % CREAM

Busy Selling Homes for the Best Possible Price

The next two months is a very important trading period for the local retailers. There are several businesses locally advertising in this month’s Oracle, with some different Christmas ideas.

If possible, please think local when shopping.

For November’s competition, The Seafood Shack, Southend, is offering a meal for 2 (2 courses) and a bottle of either Oyster catcher Merlot, Ca’Lunghetta Pinot Grigio or Ca’Lunghetta Pinot grigio rose.

(To be used Wed – Fri, 5pm -7.30pm only). For more information please visit: www.seafoodshack.social or read pages 6 & 7 in this month’s Oracle.

To enter the Oracle/The Seafood Shack competition please visit: www.oraclepublications.co.uk competition page. Closing date 30 November 2022.

Good luck!

170 The Broadway Thorpe Bay SS1 3ES

Emma Wynne-Morgan Publisher

01702 393838 Oracle House, 11 Clarence Road, Southend-on-Sea, Essex SS1 1AN

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CONTENTS Southend's High Street Saga! 9/10 Local Issues by James Miller

Well-being at THE HAVEN COMMUNITY HUB

16

Spotlight

Police Commendations

22

Police Watch by Essex Police

Costs of running an electric car 28 Motoring

Doing Movember?

34

Hair & Beauty by Craig Smith

Bus battle chaos!

42

MP's Column by Anna Firth MP

Setting Healthy Boundaries

44

Health & Wellbeing by Jacqui Sayer-Noble

Brainbox 46 Quick Teriyaki Salmon on a bed of stir-fried vegetables 48 Recipe by Judy Barden

Useful Numbers Advertiser Index

52 54

Advertorials The Seafood Shack 6/7

By The Sea Vintage 13 Inscripture 17 Is a Will enough?

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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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November 2022

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The Seafood Shack

more than just seafood W

selection and our fantastic wine list, which has been specially selected to enhance our dishes. All our food can be taken away; however, we recommend our customers eat in and enjoy the full shack experience.

Our diverse hot menu consists of Our aim is to provide a comfortable, meat, vegetarian and vegan options. inviting & friendly experience for all Gluten free dietary requirements are ages, whether it be for a 3-course also catered for. We pride ourselves meal, lunch or just drinks. We pride on producing great quality fresh food ourselves on our excellent customer prepared and cooked to order. Our service and we try (and hope we customers also love trying the different manage) to accommodate all our dishes available on our weekly customer’s requests and needs. special's board.

We feel that in the current climate is a need for customers to feel Our excellent customer service there special and their custom appreciated, We are extremely excited and pleased rather than just a body on a seat! to provide our premium tapped beer We try and create a whole Shack

e are a friendly Seafood Shack, with a bar and grill situated on the Eastern Esplanade of Southend Seafront. Fresh and tasty seafood both hot and cold is something we specialise in as well as catering for non-fish eaters.

The Seafood Shack 32-35 Eastern Esplanade Southend on Sea

SS1 2ES Phone: 07714093690 01702 668394 Instagram&Facebook: seafoodshacksouthend Email: info@seafoodshack.social

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November 2022

advertorial experience, excellent quality food, great atmosphere, fantastic customer service and value for money. We also take orders for items not on our menu, eg Lobster, seabass etc

Xmas shopping event Our customers also enjoy our entertainment afternoons/evenings, which take place a few times a month (follow our social media pages for dates). We will also hold a Xmas shopping event on 8th November 2022, there will be some lovely stalls, to inspire some Xmas present ideas.

The Seafood Shack is the number 1 seafood restaurant in Southend on Sea as per Tripadvisor

The Seafood Shack reborn Sandy and Wendy are lifelong friends who decided to go into business a few years ago when they bought the original Seafood Shack, which was a shed situated in a pub car park. Wendy’s passion for cooking and Sandy’s Passion for eating was the perfect recipe for a fantastic partnership. Their husbands are also closely involved in the business and are a great support both in front of house and behind the scenes.

It wasn’t all plain sailing at first, as neither of them had any experience in seafood, let alone running a food business and basically had no clue.

They certainly didn’t envisage the hard work needed to make The Seafood Shack so successful.

November 2022

After 3 years of hard work, little time off and Covid they decided to sell The Shack and downsize, they thought they could start a catering business from home and free up some time. For various reasons, that plan didn’t materialise, and they continued at The Shack, getting more and more popular and out growing their little shack. Sandy’s Husband suggested expanding into a bigger property and found a few options.

One being an old pub, that had seen better days and needed a lot of work.

After 6 months of blood, sweat and tears, June 2022 saw The Seafood Shack reborn along Southend Seafront and the rest is history.

They both agree that it has been

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a rewarding and challenging experience and they are constantly learning “on the job” as they go.

The feedback from customers has been amazing and the support from the local community and local businesses has been greatly received and much appreciated.

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November 2022

LOCAL ISSUES

Southend's High Street Saga!

L

et’s be honest - how many of us actually visit specifically for the high street? When it was first pedestrianised in the 1960s it was a great idea and worked superbly well, as it was the leisure destination.

by James Miller Director at Stockvale and leader of the Confelicity Party

November 2022

Now, we must accept that Southend High Street is no longer a destination location in its own right.

Everyone talks about Leigh Broadway as an example of how a high street can work, and whilst that is true, it is the miles of London Road that is where I turn to for further inspiration.

Odd as it may sound because we don’t think of London Road as a shopping destination as such, but drive along from Southend High Street to Hadleigh and there are hundreds of shops selling all sorts of different products and services.

What is more interesting is that most of the shops are independent.

But how is this so?

As much as business costs and a good business idea are fundamental, exposure to that business is the next key step.

And as basic as it might sound the power of London Road’s road ought not to be underestimated.

It gives thousands upon thousands of drivers the unknowing opportunity to see these places that they would otherwise never have even thought to look for.

The shops don’t need to be destination locations because people naturally drive through them. It exposes the shops all day long; shops that otherwise wouldn’t have had a look in.

Footfall is important, but it can be forgotten that ‘carfall’ is perhaps even more so. If I were a shop owner I

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LOCAL ISSUES would indeed wish for as many people as possible to see my shop. I could budget huge amounts of money for advertising or I could position my shop on a very busy road that provides that advertising for free.

How much money do we waste?

It’s no coincidence that Leigh Broadway, Thorpe Bay Broadway and Southchurch Village are all doing well despite there being very few nationally recognised brands. On my recent holiday touring the south coast of England I did not have a clue what each village, town or city would bring. I wanted to drive around to see what was there before parking up and exploring. Portsmouth is a good example. It has much to do, and while I could see everything driving past, the high street remained elusive as there was no road. Had I not been on a mission to research other high streets I would not have gone out of my way and parked up.

The high street in Brighton, on the other hand, has a road cutting right through it – and it was thriving.

The road will make it safer during the day, and also at night. No longer would we be taking our lives in our own hands! In fact there would be a resurgence of a night-time economy. And with the inevitability of the electric car, the environmental argument would be over.

How many times have we seen our pavement dismantled and torn up to perform underground works? How much money do we waste? And how aesthetically displeasing does our high street look because of it? Of course make the pathways safe and wide enough and put plenty of zebra crossings in. www.confelicityparty.com/blog 10

Put a cycle lane to join up with the seafront Make the road attractive by using different coloured materials of which there are many options available.

And leave the option to be able to open and close the road for events.

There is the matter of the cost to open the road as well as changing the highways to accommodate such a change. It is not a minor undertaking.

There will be a thousand nuances in the development of this plan, but we must explore it seriously because the end goal will drive the local economy forward creating more jobs, or at least sustaining the number we have already, and give us Southend residents a central point in which to be proud of.

Certainly there will be a few people that love the high street the way it is, and we need to listen to them and take their concerns seriously.

I am, however, sometimes the optimist, and feel that if we pool our creative minds together we can start the journey on the road to the road.

And one day when the shops are thriving again and it becomes a destination location then, perhaps, bring back the pavement!

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November 2022

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November 2022

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November 2022 24/10/2022 09:25

advertorial

By The Sea Vintage celebrates its 1st birthday!

B

y The Sea Vintage is a unique shop situated in Alexandra Street Southend just off the highstreet. We opened at the end of November 2021 and have been warmly received by the residents of Southend and beyond. We have been overwhelmed by the support from our regular customers and newcomers to the shop.

We offer an incredible range of vintage and vintage inspired goods including woman's and mens clothing, costume jewellery, handbags, accessories, homewares and unusual gifts.

We strive to offer a warm and inviting shopping experience like no other in the area. BTSV welcomes people of all ages and cultures who are looking for original items specialising in various fields which differ from the run of the mill High Street shops. We also hope it appeals to individuals who want to buy sustainable goods.

Followers of vintage and retro will love our quirky window and artwork displays that hosts a different theme each month.

vintage fair circuit and are firmly committed to continuing to trade for years to come. They have many years of experience between them in sourcing and supplying vintage goodies, each specialise in various fields.

Lovely cafes and bars It’s been an amazing 1st year for us and we look forward to many more years of business. We really hope that our success story will trigger a flurry of new independent shops to open in the Southend area. Alexandra Street offers so much, including all the amazing street art and lovely cafes and bars.

By the Sea Vintage is open Tuesday - Saturday 10.30am - 5.30pm Follow us on

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Facebook - by the sea vintage Southend

Fiona Foster and her three colleagues Sarah, Lin and Jane all met on the

Or call us on 01702 338666

November 2022

Instagram - bytheseavintage_southend

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Come and join us to celebrate our 1st birthday on Saturday the 26th of November and have a sneak peak at our Xmas stock and festive window display!

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SPOTLIGHT

Well-being at THE HAVEN COMMUNITY HUB

T

he Haven Community Hub is a community space for everyone - old and young, run by Age Concern Southend, your local independent charity. A one stop shop hosting all the facilities and services needed by the people of Southend.

To find out more about us visit www.acsos.co.uk or get in touch by calling 01702 345373, email enquiry@acsos.co.uk or find us at The Haven Community Hub, 138-140 Hamlet Court Road, Westclff-on-Sea, SS0 7LN

Whether you are looking for a new exercise class like yoga, pilates, keep fit or martial arts, if you want to learn or enhance a skill like sewing, crochet or computing, pamper yourself with a beauty and health treatment, or you simply want to socialise and meet new people, we can help. We also have a large welcoming café on site.

Our timetable is updated regularly and available on our website or printed copies can be found at reception. You

There is something for everyone The Haven Community Hub helps fund the vital services that Age Concern Southend provides to the people in Southend and the surrounding communities such as a befriending service for older, lonely people and information and advice. Our Day Centre offering bespoke care for those suffering from neurological disorders is also located within the Haven Community Hub, offering quality respite care in both full and half day sessions.

We are confident that there is something for everyone at the Hub and implore you to support us so that we can continue to help the people of Southend.

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can also follow us on social media @ thehavencommunityhub for more info.

Exercise is important for your health We make a conscious effort to make our classes as accessible and affordable as possible, covering a range of abilities and with prices starting from as little as £3. We know that regular socialising and exercise is important for your health and so it’s essential that there is something for everyone within our building. Prices and information on how to book can also be found on the timetable and we are always on hand to discuss any concerns or anxieties around trying something new.

As well as regular activities, we also host one off events which provide a vital source of income for our charity, these include pamper evenings, family fun days, quizzes, race nights and seasonal events – all of which are listed on our website.

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November 2022

advertorial

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memories

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Whether you have a full message or just a recipe/address book, we can extract certain letters to create a meaningful message of your choice for you to cherish and a multitude of quality products to choose from.

Offering the largest range of Memorial Jewellery in the UK we can engrave Photos, Fingerprints, Hand/Foot Prints, Paw Prints, Illustrations (hand-drawn from your photographs), Children's Drawings, Sound-Waves and much more to sure you can create the perfect keepsake dedicated to commemorate your loved one's memory or a treasured moment you wish to capture.

Full bereavement service

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When ordering with ourselves, we are very aware of the sentiment of many of our pieces so we pride ourselves November 2022

on our core values, providing top quality service and also in the way we present our pieces. We also offer a full bereavement service in the form of blogs, our online community & our partnership with Sue Ryder to ensure we can support you for those on their grief journey.

Though predominantly our products are created for those suffering a loss, we also create many pieces on capturing the special firsts in life, such as your little ones first prints or their first masterpiece, worthy of more than just the fridge door.

Or even your fur babies print as our fourlegged friends become family too.

During our time in business, we have curated over 100,000 memorial pieces and each one means as much to us as it does to you. We are extremely proud of our 5-star Trust Pilot rating & work hard to ensure we can provide the best possible service & products (also covered by a 1 year guarantee) for our wonderful customers.

You can even adorn your Christmas Tree with special memories this Christmas with our ceramic decorations.

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November 2022

November 2022

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Equity Release

Unlocking your future Whatever your financial peace of mind looks like, perhaps improving your home, helping your children get onto the property ladder, freedom to travel or simply supporting your income, Equity Release could help you realise your retirement goals. If you are aged 55 or over, Equity Release is a way of taking money out of your home, while you continue to live in the place you love.

At Arrangemymortgage.com we are highly experienced specialist Mortgage Advisers, looking after all types of mortgage needs.

Every exciting mortgage chapter, whether it is Equity Release, moving home, making home improvements or taking your first steps into the mortgage market, you could not be in better hands.

Come and see us and we can get you started! Appointments can be at our Thorpe Bay office or at your home.

Equity Release will reduce the value of your estate and can affect your eligibility for means tested benefits.

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November 2022

November 2022

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21

Police Watch

Commendations for Southend PC and member of the public who restrained violent attacker

S

outhend PC Ben Leaver and his friend Josh Giddens have been awarded commendations by Chief Constable Ben-Julian Harrington for saving an unconscious man and apprehending his attacker.

Ben was returning to his home near Rochford after a late shift on a cold, dark evening last November when he was flagged down by Josh, who’d been out collecting a takeaway.

Josh had encountered two men, one of whom appeared badly beaten. He offered to call an ambulance, but the beaten man’s companion said one was already on the way.

A traumatic head injury However, they started to walk off, so Josh called 999. As he did, the companion started to kick and punch the injured man.

“Then,” Josh said, “in a fateful moment, I saw Ben driving past.”

Ben arrived to find the victim in a “crumpled heap on the ground”.

He attempted to restrain and arrest the attacker with Josh’s help and was bitten. Ben said: “My primary function as a police officer is to protect life but I couldn’t get to the victim because the suspect

was so violent. I had to ask Josh to help me to restrain the man on the floor while telling the others not to move the victim because he had a traumatic head injury. “It’s a real honour to be commended but I think Josh’s actions were more noteworthy, given that he’s a civilian. I am trained to deal with this sort of thing whereas he just jumped in.” When back-up arrived, the attacker spat at one police officer and bit another on the leg. His victim was taken to hospital.

A 44-year-old Southend man was later jailed for a total of six years and six months for causing grievous bodily harm with intent and for two counts of assaulting an emergency worker by beating.

"Our officers are trained for this" Reflecting on his actions, Josh said: “We were told afterwards that if we hadn’t have stopped, the man could have died from his injuries or from hypothermia.

“It feels good to be commended but it’s something I felt I had to do.

I’m not sure if it was stupidity or bravery. I felt a bit numb afterwards and it took a few days for what had happened to sink in.”

Chief Constable Ben-Julian Harrington said: “Police officers are never off duty and their instinct is to run towards danger, which is exactly what Ben did when he was flagged down.

“But our officers are trained for this and the public are not, so the fact that Josh did not flinch or turn away when he saw a man being brutally attacked, instead trying to assist and get help is outstanding.

“Both men were particularly brave in what was clearly a volatile situation.”

Keep up to date with latest from Essex Police in Southend by following the district Facebook page, www.facebook.com/EPSouthend

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November 2022

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November 2022

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THE WINDOW MAN 27

Motoring

How much does it cost to run an Electric Car, and would one work for me?

L

ike all energy costs the cost of charging an EV at home rose significantly on the 1st of October following the Ofgem price rise.

Although this may be a worry for some EV users, EVs are still cheaper to run due to the lower cost of electricity compared to Petrol or Diesel.

There are plenty of urban myths about the range of the vehicles, how difficult they are to charge and whether or not they are actually green, however all of these matters can be addressed with a simple conversation with an expert.

Here are some key points about the costs of charging and the financial benefits of driving one.

A Typical Home charger (7kw) takes between 6 and 8 hours to charge an EV which varies depending on the size of the batteries and range etc. and you can ask your energy provider if they have a green tariff which would make the unit cost cheaper off peak.

If you compare someone that does 10000 miles per year with a typical small car the costs are as follows:

Charging an EV at home based on 10000 miles per year costs £500.00 approximately per annum.

Annual fuel cost for equivalent petrol car is £1500-£2000 depending on the engine size and varying fuel costs.

Just give us a call The EV also has zero road tax, requires less maintenance, is currently free to use in the London Congestion zone and is obviously kinder to the environment with zero emissions.

If you run an EV through a business there are also some big tax advantages with the Benefit in Kind tax currently at 2% for zero emission cars and no extra tax payable to employees if you have

a charger installed at the office they can charge tax free.

The range of cars and vans available as an EV has grown significantly this year with most manufacturer ranges now encompassing around 4 or 5 different models to choose from there has never been a better time to consider the change to green motoring.

If you have any questions about changing to EV the team at Planet Leasing are fully conversant with all the latest updates in the technology and will always ask questions to make sure that the correct vehicle is offered to you to fit your requirements, just give us a call we will be happy to assist as the local experts in Electric vehicles.

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Cloudy2Clear, A Local Service, Saving You Money.

As a leading domestic glass replacement company for more than 16 years, Cloudy2Clear windows are the leading name in the industry. There is no need for you to risk your windows by using the dreaded double glazing cowboy down the street. You can join over 336,000 happy customers and replace your glass ethically and affordably. If you have a failed glass unit, it may not provide you with the protection you need or be as energy-efficient as it once was. Take a minute to check your home to see if any double glazing has failed? Taking action now can prevent future financial problems.

values have been held dear for a number of years. Since starting the business some years ago Cloudy2Clear have remained true to their core values of supporting the local community by providing a service that saves the public money.

When talking to the Manager of Cloudy2Clear windows Chris Miller it became clear that these

For a free quotation please call 0800 61 21 118 or visit www. cloudy2clear.co.uk.

The Cloudy2Clear service only requires the glass to be replaced and not the whole window once the unit has failed. Chris commented “Cloudy2Clear were able to assist our community through the last financial crisis in 2008 due to the savings that can be made in using our service. Unfortunately we might be going through something similar again soon and the public can rest assured that we will be there to help once again”.

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Ideal for teenagers & adults!

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33

HAIR & BEAUTY

Doing Movember?

I

f it’s November it must be Movember, right? The month where blokes across the country start growing all manner of weird and wonderful facial topiary to raise money for good causes.

The thing is, chaps have been reembracing moustaches for quite some time now and, come the end of the month, I’m not convinced they’ll reach for the razor. Why do I say this?

Well, as a keen observer of celebrity culture, I’ve noticed that hirsute top lips are increasingly becoming a thing.

Movie heartthrobs such as Jonathan Rhys Meyers, James Franco and Henry Cavill are all notable flyers of the ‘tache flag, while Donald Glover, playing Lando Calrissian in Disney’s Solo: A Star Wars Story rocked such a mightily impressive mo’ he could have passed it off as a hairy light sabre.

You're not following the herd Of course, growing a lip tickler comes with a certain frisson of danger. Your nan mighty openly accuse you of being a ‘cad’, or at least an Agatha Christie wrong un, while certain styles could result in you being nicknamed ‘Joe Exotic’. Which is fine in Wakering, but less so in Leigh…

All of this aside, a moustache is a fun way to express your personality.

Especially if you’re an extrovert. They draw the eye to the centre of the face and for men with fuller faces, they’re more flattering than a beard. And while beards seem to be everywhere at the moment, a ‘tache says that you’re not following the herd.

by Craig Smith Director of Grateful Heads Hair Salon

But whatever you do, don’t adopt a ‘Tooth Brush’ style. We all know how that works out…

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JURY FINANCIAL

SOLUTIONS ADVERTISING FEATURE

Leave a thoughtful There are few more confusing – or unpopular – taxes than Inheritance Tax (IHT). If you’re unsure of the details, or you’d like more of your inheritance to go to your family and less to the taxman or on care fees, we can help.

Leaving loved ones to incur up to a 40% reduction due to tax on their inheritance is a hard ask. Yet despite many children and grandchildren being ill-equipped to grapple with IHT, more and more families are having to deal with it.

It’s a situation that is set to continue, with the Office of Budget Responsibility forecasting that IHT revenues will reach £8.4 billion by 2026/2027.

Once thought of as a tax on the truly affluent, IHT now affects more families than ever In better news for your family, there’s been a staged increase in the residence nil-rate band threshold, which is now set at £175,000 for those who qualify when passing their main residence to direct lineal dependents. This goes some way to reflect surges in property prices, as well as other asset values recovering, which together have dragged more households into the IHT net.

Nevertheless, it can come as a shock to discover that a large proportion of your wealth, which includes the family home, investments such as Individual Savings Accounts (ISAs), life assurance plans not in trust and even old family heirlooms, might have to be sold to meet tax bills when you die.

Get in the know

So what exactly could your family be liable for?

We’ve already discussed the residence nil-rate band threshold of £175,000. Then you can factor in that the first £325,000 of your estate is likely to be exempt

leg acy

from IHT. This means that, subject to various conditions, if you’re married or in a civil partnership, you could have a tax-free estate worth £1,000,000.

Yet the simple fact is that IHT could be considered a voluntary tax. The Treasury relies on our inertia and reluctance to confront the issues of death and inheritance. To make things worswe, the Treasury’s coffers are boosted at the exact time your loved ones least need the added hassle.

Help your family now

There are many perfectly legitimate ways to mitigate IHT through foresight and careful financial planning.

You don’t need high-powered tax planning, just a willingness to discuss the issue, act and make use of the many options available. These include establishing trusts (they won’t be regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority) and making use of annual exemptions such as gifting.

Bear in mind that if you’re domiciled, or resident, in the UK, IHT rules are complex. Certain transfers are deemed exempt from the tax if they pass between a husband and wife or civil partners.

The levels and bases of taxation, and reliefs from taxation, can change at any time. The value of any tax relief depends on individual circumstances.

Trusts are not regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.

With a little planning, more of your wealth can be passed on to future generations Get in touch

If you’re after a little help to guide you through the IHT maze, give us a call. We’re here to make a difference to your family’s future.

Stephen Jury

Associate Partner Practice

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Principal

T. M. E. W.

01702 588896 07866 473415 stephen.jury@sjpp.co.uk www.juryfs.co.uk

Jury Financial Solutions is an Appointed Representative of and represents only St. James’s Place Wealth Management plc (which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority) for the purpose of advising solely on the group’s wealth management products and services, more details of which are set out on the group’s website www.sjp.co.uk/products. The ‘St. James’s Place Partnership’ and the titles ‘Partner’ and ‘Partner Practice’ are marketing terms used to describe St. James’s Place representatives.

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November 2022

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37

NEW ELECTRIC FIRE SHOWROOM NOW OPEN

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November 2022

STAY SNUG AND WARM THIS WINTER WITH OUR ENERGY SAVING WINDOWS

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41

MP'S COLUMN

Bus battle chaos!

S

ince they made unjustifiable changes to vital bus routes in Easter, I have been battling with First Essex Buses to reverse their terrible decisions which were made without serious consideration or care for the hardworking taxpayers across Southend.

Following the announcement, I was immediately met with dozens of phone calls and emails from residents extremely concerned that adjustment to the Route 21 service would leave some of the most vulnerable and elderly without access to healthcare, high streets, and community hubs.

I truly believe Southend should be the breeding ground for clean and green transport connectivity.

We should be bringing everyone together and making the most of our city status, but instead these indispensable arteries of Southend were stripped away.

It is simply not acceptable Without these direct connections to Southend University Hospital, the Leigh Broadway, or Iveagh Hall, residents are left searching their pockets to fund private taxis when finding the money to heat homes has never been more difficult.

One resident informed me that their grandmother was left out in

the cold as the changes had not been properly communicated at her local bus stop. Worst of all, she was heading to the hospital for an important appointment. It is simply not acceptable.

This matter became an immediate priority and has led me on an uphill battle to find a solution and hold the bus company to account on their responsibility to provide for our great community and contribute to the prosperity of Southend.

by Anna Firth MP Conservative MP for Southend West anna.firth.mp @parliament.uk

See Anna Firth MP press release on the news page on Oracle's website

A formal request for funding A real breakthrough was made earlier this month when I called upon Garry Nicholass, Commercial Director of First Essex Buses, to meet with myself and constituents directly impacted by this terrible decision.

The amazing constituent Josephine Pain joined me in handing over a petition of 550 signatures. As a result of my relentless lobbying, he is now actively considering how to make amends by incorporating the essential aspects of Route 21 into Route 3.

Subsequently, First Essex Buses are now preparing a formal request for funding which will allow this to take place. Of course, this has my full backing, and I will continue to lobby until the matter is closed.

As ever, if you have any issues I can help with, please contact me on anna.firth.mp@parliament.uk.

42

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November 2022

Specialists in Marble and Granite Kitchen & Bathroom Worktops Tailor-made Fireplaces to suit your home

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43

HEALTH & WELLBEING

Setting Healthy

Boundaries W

hat are Healthy boundaries? Boundaries are invisible fences which mark where your comfort zone ends. They can be in relation to personal space, emotional thoughts and feelings, time and energy, psychological health, Intellectual thoughts and beliefs, personal or work relationships, sexuality and sexual expectations and material boundaries.

Boundaries can be misinterpreted as someone wishing to be in isolation which is not the intention.

for a fear that you might be rejected or cause offence.

Emotional boundaries are vital as they give us personal space but when they are not respected we may Why do we need them feel overwhelmed, anxious or not Without boundaries we may find valued. Should they continue to be ourselves constantly pleasing others disrespected it may result in despair, and not necessarily wanting to do that, feeling powerless causing anxiety and but not knowing how to act differently. spiral into depression.

A lack of boundaries could indicate that our identity is not strong.

Self care, good mental health and wellbeing

Setting Healthy Boundaries

It is important to set boundaries as they reflect your personal standards and values, which help with wellbeing and fulfilment.

Within our boundaries, it is important to ensure that our basic human rights are encapsulated in them and additionally your right to say NO! It can be difficult to stand up for yourself

H.E.A.L.L JSN Therapies 44

Healthy boundaries can help us define our individuality to be honest with ourselves. They can also help with personal or work relationships.

Whilst unhealthy boundaries can lead to anger, resentment or even burnout. Boundaries are personal and will be different for everyone.

Setting healthy boundaries is important for self care, good mental health and wellbeing. Boundaries may need to be flexible rather than rigid as they may feel different with individuals. It is important not only to make boundaries but to ensure that they are communicated with others. A large majority of people do not hold or neglect their boundaries to meet loved ones needs in a fear of upsetting or displeasing them. They can be seen as selfish, which is not true. Boundaries are there to protect you, your values and maintain a sense of self-identity; without them we can lose who we are.

If you are suffering from stress or anxiety, I can help you!

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ESTATE PLANNING

Is a Will enough?

Assets not protected by a Trust, face attack from... !

our home being sold to pay Y for your long term care costs

!

T he chance that your assets won’t reach your children, grandchildren and other relatives, but end up in the wrong hands!

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!

reditors or C Bankruptcy claims

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Trusts The strategic use of Trusts can ensure that your children and grandchildren are able to benefit completely from the inheritance you want them to receive and at the same time, protect the family home and other assets from being lost to the costs of long term care.

Friendly and professional service When estate planning, it is important that you can rely on and trust the adviser you choose.

Oracle Estate Planning offers a friendly and professional service including

ORACLE estate planning

In association with Countrywide SE LLP November 2022

l Wills l Lasting Powers of Attorney l Trusts l Probate & Funeral Plans We are confidential and reliable and give the best possible advice at the time you need it most.

So, don’t leave it too late! To arrange an informal chat at no cost (we are fully covid compliant) or for any further information or advice, please feel free to contact me on 01702 393838.

by Clive Rowe, Oracle Estate Planning 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

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47

RECIPE

by Judy Barden Next month’s recipe: 'Hot cheese dip with pitta crisps'

Quick Teriyaki Salmon on a bed of stir-fried vegetables

T

his is a very quick healthy supper and with December looming it is quite nice to eat a light meal. You can buy all different mixtures of stir-fried vegetables so just choose one you like.

The whole dish takes minutes to cook after a 15 minute marinade. Enjoy!

Mix the teriyaki sauce, sweet chilli sauce, lime zest and juice in a large bowl.

Add the salmon fillets and turn to coat and marinate for 15 minutes.

Heat the vegetable oil in a large frying pan and fry the salmon fillets for 4-5 minutes each side, until slightly blackened. Set aside.

Add the remaining marinade

to the pan and reduce slightly. Cook the stir-fry vegetables in another pan with a splash of water and add the soy sauce, cooking for a further 2-3 minutes.

Divide the stir-fry vegetables between plates, top each portion of vegetables with a salmon fillet and drizzle with the reduced marinade.

Drizzle with a little sesame oil and serve.

ORACLE

estate planning In association with Countrywide SE LLP 48

Ingredients SERVES 4 4 tbsp teriyaki sauce  2 tbsp sweet chilli sauce  1 lime, zested and juiced  4 salmon fillets  1 tbsp vegetable oil  300g pack stir-fry vegetables  2 tbsp soy sauce  A little sesame oil, to serve. 

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 2022

July 2021 publications.co.uk

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October 2021

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USEFUL NUMBERS Advice & Helplines Child Protection Citizens Advice Crimestoppers Cruse Bereavement Care Drugs, Alcohol & Substance Misuse HARP – Southend's Homeless Charity Jobcentre Southend National Drugs Freephone Pier & Foreshore Inspectors Samaritans Freephone Southend Carers Southend Council Civic Centre Southend Talking Newspaper Victim Support Group

Clubs & Associations

Hospitals & Health 534495 0344 4770 808 0800 555 111 213843 456800 615000 0800 169 0190 0300 123 6600 215620 116123 393933 215000 898900 0845 4565995

Actorcrats (Amateur Dramatics) 306506 Belfairs Mixed Bowling 525648 Burges Estate Residents Association (BERA) 588662 Charles Dicken’s Fellowship 588069 Cockleshell Clog Morris 218081 Essex Handicrafts Association 479862 Essex Society for Family History 522992 Leigh-on-Sea Bowls Club 471944 Leigh-on-Sea Royal British Legion 559996 Lower Thames Rowing Club 482205 Naval & Military Club 347169 Piertalk 07474 119899 Prittlewell Bowls Club 612476 Scouts: Southend, Thorpe Bay & Shoeburyness 584026 Southchurch Park Bowling Club 07434 190067 Southchurch Croquet Club at Rayleigh 525106 Southend Anglo Italian Circle 712177 Southend & District Pensioners Campaign 341047 Southend Blind Welfare Association 342131 Southend Bowls Club 467073 Southend Cardiac Support Group 309042/293469 Southend Chess Club (Steve – Club Secretary) 345902 Southend French Circle www.southendfrenchcircle.org.uk Southend Golf Club 473206 Southend-on-Sea Lions Club 582828 Southend Photographic Society 332491 Southend Rugby Club 546682 South Essex Natural History Society 588115 St Augustine’s Church 587597 Stone Masons & Dry Stone Wallers 292867 Thames Estuary Lacemakers 476034 The Shoebury Society 586622 The Wine Circle 295325 Thorpe Bay Art Group 585382 Thorpe Bay Bowling Club 582074 Thorpe Bay Bridge Club 875234 Thorpe Bay Floral Arrangement Group 585350 Thorpe Bay Horticultural Society 588297 Thorpe Bay Ladies Thursday Club 296975 Thorpe Bay Lawn Tennis Club 585245 Thorpe Bay Afternoon Townswomen’s Guild 588909 Thorpe Bay Probus 07947613594 Thorpe Bay Yacht Club 587563 Thorpe Hall Golf Club 582205

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435555

Southend General Hospital

Pharmacies

Bansal Pharmacy 587500 178 The Broadway, Mon–Fri 9–6.30pm/Sat 9–1pm Howells and Harrison Thorpe Bay Pharmacy 582658 The Broadway, Mon–Fri 9–6.30pm/Sat 9–5.30pm Closed 1–2pm Wed+Sat

Local MP

Anna Firth (Conservative) (Southend West) 020 7219 4098 James Duddridge (Conservative) (Southend East) 616135

Animal Welfare

Downes & Prtnrs, Veterinary Surgeon RSPCA Rochford

584511 0300 1234 999

Police emergency Police non-emergency Essex Police Marine Unit HM Coastguard

999 101 01245 452815 01702 294998

Police Services

Public Services

Southend Forum 215011 Bournes Green Post Office 582241 Traveline 0871 200 2233 Arriva Southend 0844 800 4411 First 01268 525251 National Express 08705 80 80 80 Odeon Cinema 0871 2244007 SSAFA (Soldiers, Sailors, Airmens Families Assoc.)

463113 24 hour Emergency Homeless Shelter 430696

"It's like going back to school.

You know, autumn! Time for 'Harry Potter'."

Robbie Coltrane 1950 - 2022

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0397 BTMK Services Essex LIfe Welcome 210x297mm.qxp_Layout 1 26/10/2022 15:08 Page 1

BTMK IS PLEASED TO WELCOME BTMK ALAN SIMPSON TO THE FAMILY For you and your business

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Wills, Trusts, Probate and Tax Planning You’ve worked hard for your money. We’ll protect it for you and your future generations.

Litigation and Dispute Resolution Our Specialist team can help you resolve disputes over land, property or money. We keep the costs in check and end in sight.

Property If you’re moving home or own a property portfolio, our property solicitors are as safe as houses.

Employment Our specialists advise employees and directors on all aspects of their employment including discrimination and unfair dismissal and frequently advise on exit packages and contractual restrictions. We provide representation for Employment Tribunal claims and mediations.

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ALAN SIMPSON

N 03300 585 222 E info@btmk.co.uk (24/7 all offices)

www.btmk.co.uk (live chat 24/7)

PARTNER OF

Offices in Southend-on-Sea, Leigh-on-Sea and Rayleigh.

Meeting space available by appointment in London.

BTMK Solicitors Limited is a limited company registered in England and Wales under registration number 05466421 whose registered office is at 19 Clifftown Road, Southend on Sea, Essex SS1 1AB.

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