Oracle Sept 2023

EVERY SAT FROM SEPT 30th – 11th NOV (starting at 7.30PM) & NOV 18th (starting at 8pm/ after Christmas lights switch on) with free seafront parking after 6pm

As summer winds down, I'm pleased to update you on recent community matters. Cllr James Courtney has diligently addressed concerns about visitor behaviour on the Seafront. His collaboration with local groups has led to improved monitoring and communication to ensure a peaceful coexistence.

Ann Firth MP's dedication to the "Safe to Swim" campaign is evident and aligns with our commitment to a cleaner environment. Her involvement in the second Water Summit on July 28th brought stakeholders together to discuss vital water-related issues, emphasising her dedication to actionable solutions.

As the seasons change, let's appreciate our united community spirit. Local business man, Philip Miller MBE, shares his thoughts on working with the new administration.

This month's competition has been kindly donated by Control Fitness, the first Reformer Pilates studio in the Southend area, offering a wide range of classes suitable for ages and level of fitness, see p14. Win 10 classes for Reformer Pilates worth £110.

To enter the Oracle/Control Fitness competition visit www.oraclepublications.co.uk competition page, competition ends 30 Sept 2023.

Good Luck!

Emma Wynne-Morgan Publisher

Rayleigh

40 years and counting!

We are celebrating over 40 years in business and are proud to say that we are still dedicated to providing excellent service and exceptional attention to detail, as we enter our 5th decade.

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Many of our installation team and staff members have been with us for well over a decade and they enable us to provide a reliable, expert and quality approach to the work that we do.

We have evolved from a glazing contractor into a specialist installer of windows, doors and conservatories for the residential market and new build sector.

Our work ranges from fitting a single set of bifold doors to installing windows and doors to an entire new build development. Our latest project consists of installing windows and doors to 100 newly built homes.

We are Safecontractor registered and uphold high health and safety standards on all projects.

Not all windows and doors are created equal

Because we are a specialist installer we are able to advise on the best specification of product to suit each individual property, whether that’s to create a warm and safe environment, reduce outside noise, control heat build up from the sun and improve the security of a home.

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Garden building by Rayleigh Glass

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Summer on the seafront

DEALING WITH THE CHALLENGES

Having been born and bred in Southend, I was delighted to take on the “community safety and public protection” portfolio at the end of May when the Conservative Group formed a minority administration at the council.

Cllr. James Courtenay portfolio holder for Community Safety and Public Protection

This role oversees many things that are done in partnership rather than solely by the council. Public protection is a perfect example of this, and in particular ensuring we are safe while going about our daily lives.

Our seafront has always attracted a wide variety of people, some of whom have come down to let off steam. We’ve had great family events over the years, with the airshow, classic car shows, shakedowns, and carnivals as well as a wide range of businesses to keep families entertained all summer long. The seafront also comes to life late into the evening, with many youngsters exerting their independence and hanging out with their friends. We’ve also had the mods and rockers in the late 50s and early 60s, and the punks and skinheads in the late 70s and early 80s, who historically caused some real

challenges to an otherwise very busy but generally family-friendly area.

The message spreads easily

Over the last couple of decades, we have seen significant and unacceptable levels of anti-social behaviour (ASB) at certain times over the summer. These are usually (but not solely) at the end of the school year and on certain days of the summer holidays. One of the downsides of social media is that there is now great levels of organisation to these events and the message spreads easily and quickly.

Over recent weeks we have seen a handful of days where the numbers of youngsters coming to Southend purely to cause trouble has been totally unacceptable. This has hugely impacted residents, visitors and businesses alike and lessons have been learned regarding the response. Social media is also not our friend here, with false

LOCAL ISSUES

reports of acid attacks for example spreading like wildfire. That they have been false is good, but the fact they are out there is damaging to Southend’s reputation – it understandably makes anyone think twice about taking their young family down to the seafront. Quite simply, criminals, thugs and those over-stepping the line need to be dealt with and this behaviour will not be tolerated.

Operation Union

Spearheaded by Essex Police, Operation Union runs over the whole summer period, bringing together dedicated police officers deployed to the seafront, supported by the Council’s CST and CCTV team, BTP, and the police’s community teams and operational support group (specialist trained officers in public order), to tackle problems on the seafront. The police have additional powers, such as dispersal orders, which they can deploy when necessary. It is difficult for the police and the Council to always get the balance right. The Council doesn’t like to issue fines just for having a BBQ or taking dogs on the beach, when a quiet word will do - just like the police don’t want to arrest everyone when things turn ugly. However, I am acutely aware of the need to protect those in the city I grew up in and am now raising a family myself - as well as protecting our reputation of being a great place to bring your family and to go out into the evening.

There are regular meetings between the Police, the Council and other agencies responsible for keeping us safe – not only on the seafront but across the whole city.

Modern council CCTV control room and mobile van

While the operational response to the ASB and disorder we have seen on the seafront must always remain with the police, we are able to support them in the best way we can.

l In 2016 I founded the Council’s Community Safety Team (CST), which has since been expanded. This team, in conjunction with the city centre BID Rangers, can deal with certain issues and incidents freeing up the police to deal with serious criminal matters.

l The Council has a state-of-the-art CCTV camera and control room and new mobile CCTV van, meaning we are able to help the police deploy their resources in the right place, more quickly

l We liaise with British Transport Police (BTP) to stop some of the worst offenders from even getting on a train, let alone reaching Southend-on-Sea

l By ensuring record levels of investment from central government and the Essex PFCC Roger Hirst, into Essex Police, it means there are now more Essex Police officers than at any previous time in the forces 183year history.

I am always pleased to provide feedback – good and bad – from residents and businesses to the senior police officers responsible for policing our city.

Left-to-right: Cllr James Courtenay, Ch/Supt Waheed Khan, Ch/Insp Jo Collins

Italy, France & Spain

8th July 2024

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Receive up to US$600 on board spending money per balcony stateroom*.

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Reformer Pilates

The Pilates Reformer improves

- Strength & Flexibility

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It’s emphasis on spinal stabilisation

- Helps relieve lower back pain

- Develops greater body awareness

- Boosts health and well-being

The Southend Confelicity Party and it's role in creating a great community

More than anything else, on the deepest and simplest level, we all just want to be happy. The word Confelicity means 'joy in other people's happiness', and though you can't please everyone all the time, the Southend Confelicity Party's ultimate goal is to give every local resident the opportunity to raise their voice in a free speech environment and give real power to their vote to shape Southend life.

We live and work in Southend and we know what is already great and how important it is to keep investing in it to keep it that wayOld Leigh is the perfect example. Yet, we also know all the areas we must see improvements.

Parking in Leigh has become a primary concern, least of all because of the imbalance between more and more flat building without due consideration to the wider impact on local infrastructure.

But basic services are under threat of being cut back such as grass cutting, weekly bin collections, street lighting and pothole and pavement repairs. This is on top of the long queues in the NHS, large school class sizes, the need for regular community policing, and our biggest asset - the sea - being regularly polluted by sewage overflows due to outdated infrastructure. All political parties can run through the problems, but doing something about it is another matter, so why would we be any different?

Because we are you. When we improve Southend, we improve our own lives.

We drive on our roads and swim in our sea (or not). We ring the same GPs you're ringing - and struggling to get through.

About Southend Confelicity

Membership is free to join the Southend Confelicity Party (donation only) and it gives you the power of veto, which means you can single-handedly prevent a policy getting through in the party. We hold manifesto meetings monthly and you can add anything you like to the agenda to debate. Our

We are a local party built from those who feel the pain first-hand, and 'stopping stupid' is our first priority. We want to smash through all the barriers, boundaries and nay-sayers who make things out to be impossible, and then concentrate our efforts on building a great community in Southend.

Creating a Great Community

We want to create an identity we can be proud of and one that we feel a real sense of civic pride. We want to feel a sense of civic duty that has practical implications, such as attracting unprecedented waves of new volunteers willing to help people that would otherwise be outside the resources of the council. We want to foster a sense of belonging, a strong community spirit and bring people together by working in partnership with the hundreds of community groups that already exist in Southend. We want Southend itself to feature on agendas in board rooms across the city to ask themselves: how can our leadership contribute to the city?

Ultimately, as in the name of our fledging party, we want each other to take joy in the happiness of Southend residents!

current manifesto has been unanimously agreed by all members present, which can be found https://www.southendconfelicityparty.co.uk/ manifesto. If you want to get in touch, email: contact@confelicityparty.com or check us out at: https://www.southendconfelicityparty.co.uk

THE SUMMER MAY BE DRAWING TO A CLOSE - BUT THE FUN ISN’T!

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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.

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

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.

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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White & Co. Solicitors have again enjoyed sponsoring Thorpe Bay Yacht Club Cadet Week this year. It was a fantastic week with a huge number of children developing their sailing skills in some very difficult weather conditions. Supporting our local community is our passion. Children and family are our speciality.

Divorce, Separation and Arrangements for Children

Sadly, not all family unions work out as hoped Untangling the union can be emotional and difficult We understand the challenges of working out finances, arrangements for children and the process of separation We can assist by securing favourable outcomes without fear or fury

Wills, Probate, Lasting Powers of Attorney (LPA)

None of us wants to contemplate the inevitability of our mortality or loss of ability to manage our own financial/welfare affairs. We promote a caring and practical approach to planning your will and/or LPA We guide you through the probate process with a sympathetic and practical

approach

Social Services and Children

Unexpected events can lead to difficulties in meeting the needs of your children. Social Services may become involved. We can assist on an urgent basis. Our specialist team is at the ready to offer support and represent you

Domestic Abuse

A much wider set of behaviours are now recognised as “domestic abuse” including financial control, psychological abuse, bullying and more. We know it is difficult to discuss these issues. We lend a listening ear and a supportive approach We provide legal remedies and can signpost you to other services

Please contact us on 01702 340340 or info@whitesolicitors.co.uk

We are long established family law solicitors based in central Southend.

Change of attitude

If we had a magic wand we would just swish it about a bit and all Southend’s woes would be cured. Sadly it’s not that easy. The High Street is a shadow of its former self and as a ‘must-go’ shopping centre; it is sadly lagging behind other nearby cities like Chelmsford.

Philip Miller M.B.E Executive Chairman Stockvale Group Of Companies

But what Chelmsford doesn’t have is the seafront!

This City’s biggest asset is – ‘we are Southend-on-Sea’, a seaside city with a fantastic booming tourism trade. I know I’m stating the obvious but in recent years, I believe the City’s administration has been missing this important point. But I’m glad to say that is now changing. Since the May local election we have a Tory controlled council and all the early indications are that they recognise the value of the Seafront Tourism trade.

And that trade is not just confined to a mile of seafront traders ‘raking it

in’ – it spreads across the city to Guest Houses, Hotels, Restaurants, and of course, shops, the High Street and many other businesses.

We call this the ‘Disney’ effect from when Disney built theme parks and boosted the local economy around them.

I know my businesses, especially Adventure Island, have this effect on local trade by talking to local hoteliers who have seen an increase in bookings year on year.

So now we have an administration that sees the value of our fabulous tourism advantage, I see the future a little more rosy. Scrapping parking charges in the evening along the seafront was a bold and positive move with more progressive action, like extra parking spaces, in the pipeline which, of course, creates bigger parking revenues for the council. During the

summer season, the seafront car parks are packed with motorists looking for vacant spaces. It’s easy money for the council and our new city chiefs recognise that. They also recognise that you cannot charge silly off-putting prices to park and kill the golden goose. Thank goodness!

It's a simple principle

Let’s not forget the rail companies who also benefit from our tourist trade. With two rail lines going into London packed with commuters every morning, the rail bosses are more than happy to see those trains coming out of London full of day visitors from the greater London areas.

Visitors coming into our city bring revenue to boost our economy. It’s a simple principle that, up to recently seems to have been missed by the last Labour-led administration!

Here comes the change

"For me, this gives me the confidence to invest in my businesses, like the new roof and solar panels at the Sea-Life Adventure Zooquarium to the tune of over half a million pounds and new rides at the park with a massive 34 metre drop tower coming next year. It gives me the confidence to hire more staff and look to future projects that will make Southend the go-to destination for days out and holidays. Our new City Wheel has been a very popular addition this year. With more holidaymakers come more shoppers in the High Street. It’s the money-go-round! I think you get the picture. Prosperity builds on prosperity, it just needs nurturing and this city has a head start with our fabulous tourist trade.  This is not the complete answer to the city’s woes, but it’s a very strong foundation to build on and it all just comes down to - is a change of attitude from the right people at the top."

Philip Miller M.B.E

Lifestyle & Mobility R

ecently turned twenty-one, and still growing strong, Lifestyle & Mobility is an innovative presence within its industry. It fuses the personal touch of a family business with an ambitious and disruptive outlook.

There’s no better example of what this means in practice than the Grand Opening of “Lifestyle” the company’s new flagship store at the Eastgate Centre, Basildon. Ron Sverdloff, founding father of Lifestyle & Mobility, was at the heart of proceedings. Ron founded the company in the aftermath of a personal tragedy: a road traffic accident in 2002 which left a good friend of his paraplegic. Despite knowing nothing about mobility products, Ron took it upon himself to build a powered wheelchair for his friend from scratch. From one man’s passion project, a company has grown, thanks in no small part to the efforts of Ron’s son Aaron (and now his grandson, Dexter!). Lifestyle & Mobility now has five stores across the south of England, as well as a growing online sales department. Another crucial part of the company’s development has been a philosophical shift. Increasingly at all levels of the company, there’s been a conscious move away from pigeon-holing customers.

Luxurious profiling beds

Although mobility products will always be a fundamental aspect of what the company sells, as the name of the new flagship store suggests, the “Lifestyle” side of things is coming more towards the fore than in the past. Visitors to the Basildon store will be able to see this in the “Lifestyle & Home” section, which serves the needs of customers who want products with a less “medicalised” character: think stylish yet ergonomic lounge suites, and luxurious profiling beds.

In tandem with expanding the “Lifestyle” side of the brand, Lifestyle & Mobility have also moved deeper into the world of high-end prescriptive products. Crucial to this has been bringing onboard Pete Jones from Permobil to head up a new subsidiary branch: Nexus Rehab.

Safe to Swim Campaign

As the MP for Southend West, I am, like many, shocked at the levels of pollution running into our seas unchecked, and completely back the Safe to Swim campaign. It has been a priority since I took office, and I was thrilled, on the 28th July 2023, to hold my second ‘Water Summit’ at Sealife Adventure Zooquarium to challenge local water company Anglian Water over excessive use of storm overflows in Southend.

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

This summit was the next step in a long period of campaigning in Parliament and working alongside groups such as Surfers Against Sewage and Southend Against Sewage to call for greater regulation on governing bodies regarding sewage discharges into the Estuary. I was thrilled that the summit, held in collaboration with Sir James Duddridge MP, secured Anglian Water’s public commitment to eliminating 75% of all use of storm over-flows in Southend by 2030, which is 5 years ahead of the Government’s National Target, as well as a further commitment to work with the various Southend-based chill swimming groups on a better electronic storm overflow alert system.

For the people of Southend

To that end, in order to secure the safety of our waters, I am hosting another water summit in October. I welcome all interested parties to contact me for updates, and to keep an eye on my newsletter and socials for details of the event. I fully intend to continue holding Anglian Water to account until the safety of our seas is secured for the people of Southend.

A huge amount of public concern

This is a crucial step to ensuring our waters remain safe to swim. Storm overflows, which are designed to act as safety valves when the sewerage system is at risk of being overwhelmed (such as during heavy downpours) in a short space of time, release extra wastewater into seas. There is, understandably, a huge amount of public concern that these are being used in non-emergency situations. Last year, Anglian Water used its storm overflows in Southend West at leas 13 times, resulting in diluted sewage being pumped into our waters for at least 24 hours., which is obviously completely unacceptable. Also 98% of Thames water was found to contain dangerous bacteria caused by the presence of faeces, and every year, 39 million tonnes of sewage, the equivalent of three million London buses, is dumped into the Thames. As Southend sits at the end of the Thames Estuary, this eventually ends up in our beaches and bathing waters, and as a thriving coastal community, this cannot be allowed to continue.

Offices in Southend-on-Sea, Leigh-on-Sea & Rayleigh. Meeting space available by appointment in London.

Aubergine and Tomato Bake with Goat’s Cheese

Aubergines and tomatoes work really well together in this Mediterranean style dish. Its satisfying and filling and if any of you bought the orzo pasta earlier on in the year this is another great recipe for this lovely baby pasta. However, you can also use regular pasta of your choice. The goat’s cheese adds a creaminess but if you want to leave that off, serve with plenty of parmesan. Enjoy!

by Judy Barden

Next month’s recipe: 'Steak Pie with Suet pastry'

INGREDIENTS (Serves 4)

 3 tbsp olive oil, plus extra to serve

 2 aubergines, sliced into 2cm-thick rounds, then cut into half-moons

 1 onion, thinly sliced

 2 garlic cloves, crushed

 1 pinch chilli flakes

 300g orzo pasta

 2 tins chopped tomatoes

 200ml vegetable stock

 250g cherry vine tomatoes

 5 sprigs of fresh thyme, leaves picked, plus extra to serve

 70g goat’s cheese, (from a log), sliced

Preheat the oven to 180°C/160°C fan/gas 4. Heat 2tbsp of the oil in a large oven proof saute pan. Add the aubergines and cook over a medium high heat for 5 mins or until evenly browned. Transfer to a roasting tin; roast for 20-25 mins or until tender.

When the aubergines have 15 mins left to cook, heat the remaining oil in the saute pan. Add the onion and a pinch of salt and fry over a medium heat for 15 mins or until caramelised and golden. Add the garlic and chilli flakes and cook for 1 min. Stir in the orzo, tinned tomatoes and stock, then add the roasted aubergines, half the cherry tomatoes and the thyme.

Bake, uncovered, for 15 mins, then top with the goat’s cheese and remaining tomatoes; return to the oven for 15 mins. To serve, finish with a drizzle of oil and a scattering of torn thyme sprigs. Leftovers will keep, covered, in the fridge for 2 days; eat cold or reheat until piping hot.

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Self limiting beliefs

L

imiting beliefs are ingrained negative thoughts that stop us achieving our true potential. Most of these self limiting beliefs start at an early age when you were influenced by your parents, careers and teachers of what they said you could or could not do.

For example:n You are not intelligent enough to become a politician, doctor, nurse, policeman or teacher;

n You will never be successful;

n You don’t have the skills to aspire to anything;

n You will always be poor;

n You are not good at reading, dancing, running or achieving, and

n You don’t deserve to be loved.

All the above are self depreciating beliefs that hold you back and stop you doing and believing that you can do anything you want.

Whether you believe that you can or believe that you can’t, you are right!

Think about that statement for a minute, most of us at some point in our lives have something that we

H.E.A.L.L HEALTH & WELLBEING

JSN

think we cannot do because of an ingrained negative believe. It could be because you had a bad experience or you were influenced by someone else. Your belief system controls the limit of what you can and cannot do.

Comfort Zone

Staying in a comfort zone is a feeling of safety and security and a choice you take.

If you would like to overcome your Limiting Beliefs, I can help you.

Limiting beliefs come from a place of fear. Fear is a big driver in our subconscious mind and stops us doing so many things.

Eg. If for instance you would like to apply for a new job but fear that you are not good enough for that position. You fear you will fail, be criticised, made to look stupid or just embarrassed to tell people. You decide not to apply.

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

0771 785 69 99 l jacqui@jsntherapies.co.uk

Police collaborate with BID and City council to combat anti-social behaviour

Officers from Southend Community Policing Team (CPT) and the force’s Business Crime Team joined representatives from Southend’s Business Improvement District (BID) and the city council for a day of action focussing on antisocial behaviour in the city centre.

The latest Safer Business Action Day saw patrols along the High Street, Warrior Square, the shopping centres and surrounding streets to engage with young people and talk to prominent businesses about whether they’ve had any issues with anti-social behaviour and what to do if they have.

CPT officers were joined by BID rangers, community safety officers and members of the council’s CCTV and Youth Engagement teams. They spoke to more than 80 young people.

The Business Crime Team visited more than 30 of Southend’s most popular stores to speak to staff and hand out ‘Open for Business, Closed for Crime’ shop stickers and information about how to report incidents of ASB.

Sergeant Steve Wells of the Southend Town Centre Team said:

‘Anti-social behaviour has fallen across Southend by more than 30% in the past

year but we continue to make sure the centre of the city is a safe and pleasant place for people to work and shop.

“We have listened to the concerns of local businesses about the impact ASB has on the area and we are conducting high-visibility patrols in hotspot areas and actively engaging with young people to deter offending.

We can take action

“ASB is not a low-level crime, it seriously damages communities. By working closely with our BID and council partners, we are taking a joined-up approach to addressing any issues.

“We also need people to report ASB when they experience or witness it by calling 101 or reporting via the Essex Police website. Tell us and we can take action.”

Suzanne Gloyne, Southend City BID Manager, added:

“This Safer Business Action Day has demonstrated the power of collaborative efforts in making our city centre safer, more inviting and a vibrant place to shop and socialise.

“It was a really great piece of partnership working that will continue to focus on supporting our businesses and residents.”

Life Ibiza Curved Corner Set

Timber Corner Lava Carbon

Pandora Leaf Gazebo

SUDOKU – Enter numbers into the blank spaces so that each row, column and 3x3 box contains the numbers 1 to 9.

WORD LADDER – Climb the ladder, changing one letter each rung to make a new word.

CONUNDRUM –Unscramble to solve the clue.

Last month’s solutions: WORD LADDER: CAKETAKETALETALLBALL CONUNDRUM: LETHARGIC

Advice & Helplines

Is a Will enough?

! Your home being sold to pay for your long term care costs

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

(Bloodline Planning)

! Creditors or Bankruptcy claims

! The divorce or separation settlements of future generations

! Further Inheritance Tax bills

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. Countrywide offers a friendly and professional service including

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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 or for any further information or advice, please feel free to contact me on 01702 393838.

by Clive Rowe in association with Countrywide SE LLP

PLUS SUPPORTING ACTS

FRIDAY 6th OCTOBER FROM 10pm

TICKETS FROM £15

Ask about upgrading to our restaurant and booth seating

PLEASE CALL 01702 352 919 AFTER MIDDAY TO SECURE YOUR TICKETS FOR THIS SPECIAL EVENT