Oracle September 2022

Your all-seeing local

September 2022

ORACLE Est.2005

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

COMPETITION WIN! A pair of tickets to see the political godfather of UK comedy, Mark Thomas

HEALTH & WELLBEING Skin cancer.

A cause for concern?

LOCAL ISSUES Under investigation!

SPOTLIGHT Watch this space

New mobile knife detector helps to keep

Southend safe

Still Waiting for your new vehicle from the dealer?

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CELEBRATING 15 SUCCESSFUL YEARS IN LEIGH-ON-SEA 01702 410470 sales@planetleasing.co.uk www.planetleasing.co.uk Front cover image by Maria Lorena Lopez

THE NEW BMW 3 SERIES. IMPROVE, ENJOY, REPEAT.

From the moment it took to the road over 40 years ago, the BMW 3 Series has been at the cutting edge of driving. As easy as it would be to rest on our laurels, we are still driven by a constant desire to improve. So just when we thought we’d perfected it, we started again…

Introducing the new BMW 3 series, offering a refreshed sporty exterior, and refined interior with added intelligence – including a large, curved touch screen to make every journey more connected. Choose between the Saloon and Touring, both also available as a plug-in hybrid for enhanced efficiency and a dynamic driving experience.

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September 2022

ORACLE

WELCOME

This month’s Local Issues by Cllr Tony Cox makes interesting reading, his findings are now under police investigation and the plot thickens.

Southend’s newest political party makes its debut in the Oracle. James Miller (founder and leader) explains the reasons why he felt Southend needed a new political party.

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Win a pair of tickets to see the political godfather of UK comedy, Mark Thomas, who is back to what he does best, taking down politicians, mucking about, new ideas and finding hope. This award-winning comedian asks how did we get here? What are we going to do about it? Who’s up for a singsong?

After lockdowns and isolation, this show is about the simple act of being in a room together and toppling international capitalism.

Mark will be appearing at the Dixon Studio, Palace Theatre, Southend on 13 October at 8 pm.

To enter the Oracle/Mark Thomas competition please visit www.oraclepublications.co.uk competition page for details on how to enter.

Closing date 30 September 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

www.oraclepublications.co.uk info@oraclepublications.co.uk Oracle is now 100% recyclable

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September 2022

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22/03/2019 11:46

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NO JOB TOO SMALL AT YOUR BECK AND CALL

CONTENTS

no job too small at Under investigation! your beck and call

T.H.M

9/10

Local Issues by Cllr Tony Cox

all aspects of home maintenance:

Watch this space

• Painting & decorating (interior and exterior) • All Roof repairs • Gutter repairs & cleaning THE HANDYMAN • Fascia’s & soffits • Plaster and rendering repairs PROPERTY MAINTENANCE • UPVC window and door replacement/repairs • Shed bases • Patios, patios repaired, cleaning patios & driveways & BUILDING SERVICES All aspects of home maintenance: • Re-grouting tiles • Fencing and gates • Loft Boarding •Painting & decorating (interior and exterior) • Garden walls repaired • Property Management for Landlords

THE HANDYMAN PROPERTY MAINTENANCE & BUILDING SERVICES

Working hard to keep you safe this summer

Council by Cllr Carole Mulroney • All Roof repairs • Gutter repairs & cleaning just because it’s not listed • Fascia’s & soffits • Plaster and rendering repairs doesn’t mean we don’t do it.

• UPVC window and door replacement/repairs • Shed bases Give us a call and we’ll be happy to help.

• Patios, patios repaired, cleaning patios & driveways trustworthy and reliable with over 25 years’ • Re-grouting tiles • Fencing and gates • Loft Boarding in the building industry.

Police Watch

by Essex Police • Garden walls repaired • Property Management for Landlordsexperience

New mobile knife detector helps to keep Southend safe

Just because it’s not listed doesn’t mean we don’t do it.

Give us a call and we’ll be happy to help.

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All works covered by liability insurance.

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We need to talk about female hair loss Telephone: 01702 307556

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Hair07984 & Beauty

by Craig Smith Mobile: 490817 Website: www.thehandyman5.co.uk Skin Cancer.

Telephone: 01702 307556 Mobile: 07984 490817 Website: www.thehandyman5.co.uk

16/17

Spotlight by James Miller

A cause for concern?

38/40

Health & Wellbeing by Jodie Newman

Plum and Apple Cobbler

44

Recipe by Judy Barden

Brainbox 46 Making Waves

48

Council by Anna Firth MP

Protect your Bloodline

52

Estate Planning by Clive Rowe

Useful Numbers Advertiser Index

56 58

Advertorials New shop in Leigh unearthed! 6/7 Chalkwell Auctions Ltd 20 Hightech Membrane 28/29

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 All rights reserved.of Nothe part publisher. of Oracle Publications UK Ltd may be UK Ltd permission Oracle Publications reproduced or used in any form or by any means either wholly or in editorially autonomous and theOracle opinions expressed partis without prior permission of the publisher.

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

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September 2022

FLOORING YOUR FUTURE!

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advertorial

New shop in Leigh unearthed!

U

nearth is an interior decor and furnishings shop coming soon to Leigh Broadway this September. We will be offering a range of luxury products from larger brands such as AMARA, Hills, Libra and Gallery Interiors, but also not forgetting to support the smaller independent brands offering handmade and urban products.

D

arcie Anslow, a trading interior designer who in the past has worked for some of the leading interior design companies in London, has decided to take her love for design and concentrate on the retail side of the business. Being local herself, Darcie wanted to bring her love of design closer to home and open a shop in the heart of Leigh-on-sea, to share it with the local community.

Darcie will also be offering her advice and services to aid in the design of all your lovely homes, alongside operating the shop floor selling interior furnishings.

A

t Unearth we’re keen to encompass the coastal feel of Leigh on Sea in what we offer, but also wish to include more urban, modern furnishings and accessories,

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keeping in date with the current market trends. We hope in doing so there will be something to suit everyone’s interior design likings.

We are opening on Saturday 17th September

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September 2022

10% discount*

during the month of September *with this magazine

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September 2022

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September 2022

LOCAL ISSUES

Under investigation!

O

ver the past few months, I have been contacted by a number of whistleblowers who have alleged serious wrongdoings at Southend City Council including claims of fraud, corruption and malfeasance in public office.

by Tony Cox Councillor for West Shoebury Ward Leader of the Opposition

September 2022

I have raised these concerns with senior officers in various departments of the Council whom I understand may have the power or ability to investigate the alleged wrongdoings, but have been ignored at every level.

Concerns are mainly centred around potentially fraudulent activity on a major Council contract namely the Joint Venture partnership between Southend City Council and London Hire Community Services (LHCS) which provides home to school transport for children with special needs.

The joint venture started providing the home to school service in late 2021. When the service started it was beset with numerous problems including a number of serious incidents where children nearly died whilst using the service.

The Joint Venture between Southend City Council and LHCS was agreed at a meeting of the Cabinet on the 12th March 2019.

Suspicions have occurred Cabinet on the 12th March 2019 as part of the awarding of the contract to LHCS were asked to authorise a one off cost of £600,000 to support the set-up of the Joint Venture. Suspicions have occurred, as the business plan

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9

LOCAL ISSUES

submitted by LHCS as part of the tender submission, have claimed setup costs to be only £82,758.

A whistleblower has claimed that the money was used to purchase the new operating vehicles. As the Joint Venture do not have any assets, the whistleblower is in effect claiming that public money was used to purchase assets for LHCS a private company.

The LHCS tender bid gave figures of a £189,000 Per Annum cost for the leasing of the vehicles. It has been confirmed that leasing costs of the vehicles are significantly more than that.

An increrase in base costs Just before the go live date to start the transportation of children with Special Needs, the COVID pandemic hit with lockdown in place.

In March 2020, during lockdown, the then Leader of the Council was asked, without having the appropriate permissions, to agree an increase in the Council’s contribution to the Joint Venture from £1.8 Million to £2 Million a year. An increase in base 10

costs were sited as the reasons whilst not a single journey had commenced.

This sum was never agreed During the lockdown period, money was still being paid into the Joint Venture by the Council yet it is alleged by whistleblower’s that staff employed directly by the Joint Venture were Furloughed and subcontractors were also told to Furlough despite the Council paying the Joint Venture for these costs.

During the 2021 – 2022 financial year, the Council paid £485,000 recognising the costs of COVID. This sum was never agreed to by councillors or appears in any Cabinet reports.

Vecteo were giving donations In June, the local press reported that that Vecteo had asked the Council for £392,000 in an interest free loan as the Joint Venture is in financial trouble. Despite this, just last month, Vecteo were giving donations to community groups.

It has also been confirmed that the officers working on the original Vecteo procurement and the awarding of the contract, one has member of their family working for Vecteo and another is now the Chair of the Vecteo Board of directors.

Whilst these are some of the more serious allegations, there have been concerns raised with me over other Council contracts.

I have raised these and the concerns with the Vecteo contract with the Police.

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September 2022

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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September 2022

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Equity Release

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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.

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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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arrangemymortgage.com is a trading style of CDC Consultancy Limited, which is an appointed representative of Quilter Mortgage Planning Limited and Quilter Financial Services Limited which are authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Registered in England & Wales No. 10484594 Registered Office: Middleborough House, 16 Middleborough, Colchester, CO1 1QT. Equity Release will reduce the value of your estate and can affect your eligibility for means tested benefits.

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PRESENTS

T H E U LT I M AT E T R I B U T E TO M A D O N N A

D I N E & S H OW

FRIDAY 16th SEPTEMBER FROM 9.30pm

Book a 4-course meal in our Waterfront Restaurant for £65 per person to guarantee the best seats in the house, or booth packages are also available from £20 per person including superb nibbles.

PLEASE CALL 01702 352 919 AFTER MIDDAY TO SECURE YOUR TABLE OR BOOTH FOR THIS SPECIAL EVENT A non-refundable deposit of £20 per person is required on booking in the Restaurant & £10 per person when booking a booth.

This event can only be viewed or accessed when booking either a table in the Waterfront Restaurant or a booth.

Booth drinks packages are available (Please ask for details when making your booking enquiry).

Walk ins are welcome charged at £15 per person.

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September 2022

September 2022

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15

SPOTLIGHT

Watch this space

D

emocracy is a great idea, and while it works to an extent, it also requires a vast array of parties that are able to fill the political gap. With around 70% of Southend residents choosing not to vote in the last local election, it seems there may be a gap for a local independent party in Southend.

Confelicity, of which the word means ‘happiness in others happiness’ intends to fill that gap with a party whose agenda is based solely on Southend. That is not to say we won’t be commenting on national politics as many concerns we face in our city are as a direct consequence of it, such as n waiting times for GPs and Southend Hospital n school classes of over 30 n proposals to build 23,000 homes over the next 10 years n and a lack of police at crucial times.

by James Miller James.Miller @stockvale.co.uk

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Locally we seem to get ourselves involved in all manner of different projects which Southend residents never asked for.

A chance of making it work I believe we have humble needs such as n seeing a doctor when we need to. n Educating our children so they have a chance of fulfilling their potential. n Enjoying a nice environment. n Swimming in clean water. n Walking on pavement that will not cause injury. n Driving on roads that will not cause a puncture. n A business environment that makes it easy for people to succeed and that will create local jobs. n Even small requests like scrapping parking meters that make it mandatory to download an app in order to pay! n And we want our High Street back.

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September 2022

£855 for a fully

Thus far, there is not a person out there has yet to solve this. Perhaps decisions like demolishing Warrior Square swimming pool didn’t help.

Perhaps we need to understand it is no longer a leisure destination in its own right and because of this the road ought to be re-opened. And for sure the costs of doing business need to come down to give people a chance of making it work.

We have simple needs

electric roller shutter garage door

Price is for a white door of 55mm slats up to 2.5 mtrs wide and 2.5 mtrs high and includes 2 fobs

I believe we want nothing more from the council than to let us live our lives and help us when we need it.

We never asked for Seaway, Queensway and Southend United developments. But in each case there are fundamental issues with a host of unanswered questions. We have now seen the council’s recent acquisition of the Victoria Shopping Centre cost another £2m in repairs! The Kursaal is derelict because somebody did not tie up the contract properly, and we have Marine Plaza still awaiting its first brick.

We have simple needs and we would rather address them first before reaching for the so called stars.

We look forward to running in the local elections National parties represented locally are constricted by their huge bureaucracies and national agendas.

Confelicity are free of this and can say and act according to the residents. Confelicity is about n freedom of respectful speech n standing up for Southend against incompetence n and driving towards the best public services paid for by a thriving local business environment.

Our membership is free and we invite all people regardless of your politics to join our meetings and voice your opinions.

We look forward to running in the local elections in 2023 and hope you can put your faith in us when the time comes.

September 2022

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THE WINDOW MAN September 2022

Waterfront Restaurant at Genting Casino Westcliff is now open every Wednesday and Thursday night, featuring pianist Tony Gooderham and Ria Currie (vocals) on Wednesday nights, and a piano accompanist on Thursday nights.

Bookings available from 5pm-9.30pm

CALL NOW ON 01702 352 919 OR SCAN THE QR CODE TO BOOK VIA OUR WEBSITE: YOUR NEW PREMIER MIDWEEK DINING EXPERIENCE!

September 2022

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advertorial

Know one's stuff P

robably the biggest mistake many people make when dealing with estates, or even their own surplus items, is to rush to the local jewellers with the gold, silver, coins and watches.

In reality, few jewellers these days carry much stock of old and secondhand items because the demand isn’t big enough to justify the investment, so when they price up for buying, they don’t think of long-term re-sale of the items just a quick profit from melting them down.

That means they tend to ignore any precious stones, any antique or intrinsic value and even dismiss the diamonds many pieces are set with.

They will usually add the justification that nobody wants “that type of thing anymore”.

Whilst they may be correct locally there are many buyers out there who want old and antique jewellery and watches of any style and certainly lots of them abroad, where fashion trends are very different.

jewellers and the maximum offer was £5,000. Luckily her neighbour told her to come to us for advice and we got her £5,500 for just one ring and thousands more for the rest. No small difference!

To make sure you really do get the best out of the deal, we offer reduced commission rates for gold and silverwares, as well as coins and coin collections.

Give us a call on 01702 613260 and we can chat about the options.

The best out of the deal

So, the big question is, how do you access that wider group of discerning buyers and maximise the value of your assets, for that they surely are? The answer is auction! An auction such as ours, with huge international following, offers by far the best chance of you getting a better price than selling to your local jeweller or gold buying shop. This can even apply to broken items, which some buyers will take the trouble to repair instead of them being melted down.

An obvious example was a lady who inherited a large collection of jewellery a couple of years ago. She asked 5 20

Chalkwell Auctions Ltd Address: 2 Baron Court, Chandlers Way, Southend on Sea, Essex, SS2 5SE Phone: 01702613260 01702618776

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September 2022

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21

COUNCIL SPOTLIGHT

Working hard to keep you safe this summer

O

ur summer season is always busy, but the hot weather has meant that even more visitors have been flocking to take advantage of everything Southend-on-Sea has to offer.

This includes, our seven miles of seafront, events such as Southend City Jam, plus our beautiful parks, and fascinating museums. The forthcoming Southend City Jam' it is on the weekend of 2-4 September It is a really challenging time for the council and our partners, but we all work very hard to make sure residents and visitors are safe over the summer months. Weekly meetings take place with staff from various departments across the council, along with partner organisations such as Essex Police and BID, to discuss resources, potential issues and work together to address any potential problems. There are extra staff working over the weekend, and in very challenging heat. Veolia make sure our beaches are clean and the hundreds of seafront bins are being regularly emptied. On a busy weekend, they can collect close to 30 tonnes of waste – the equivalent of four full bin lorries!

They also rake our beaches, have street cleansing teams out, clean our public toilets and clear out gulley drains too ready for the wet weather.

The CCTC team have eyes Our community safety officers and beach welfare officers patrol the city and seafront and deal with issues from missing children, right through to threatening and abusive incidents. Our 22

car parking marshals try their best to manage and avoid traffic congestion in the central locations, and our parking enforcement officers are out trying to enforce parking regulations.

This is vital to stop dangerous and irresponsible parking and help manage traffic flow. The CCTV team have eyes across the borough, liaising with police, BID rangers and shop managers to help catch a suspect, or reunite a missing toddler with their worried family. Our pier and foreshore and parks team are also working to ensure those facilities are in good shape. It is a real team effort.

by Cllr Carole Mulroney Deputy leader of the council

Enjoy your visit safely and responsibly Of course, we cannot be everywhere, and sometimes people’s expectations cannot be met immediately, and people turn to social media to vent their frustrations. We truly want people to visit Southend and enjoy everything our beautiful City has to offer and we work hard to do our best and so it is incredibly upsetting for our staff when they see abuse or even get it directly in the street.

I would urge everyone to please be kind and most importantly enjoy your visit safely and responsibly.

Please bin your rubbish - if a bin is full, find an empty one or take it home with you. Report any issues, including full bins at www.southend.gov.uk/mysouthend

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September 2022

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September 2022

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29

Police Watch

New mobile knife detector helps to keep Southend safe

A

new mobile weapons detector is helping to keep knives off the streets of Southend. Officers from the Southend Community Policing Team are the first in the country to use the OpenGate system which is specifically designed to detect dense metal objects.

The OpenGate consists of two freestanding poles that are five feet high and is both more mobile and less conspicuous than a conventional knife arch.

The system has been in use for a month and has popped up at locations across Southend including Marine Parade, the High Street, outside Southend Victoria and Southend Central train stations and by Adventure Island.

The OpenGate picks up metal mass

through the city’s Community Safety Partnership, is proving effective at disrupting people carrying weapons.

“The OpenGate is so much better for street tactics than what we’ve had previously. We can deploy it far more often than we could a knife arch and the feedback from members of the public has been fantastic.

“We’re able to demonstrate that it’s not just a metal detector, we’re looking for weapons and people are reassured by that.

“The OpenGate picks up metal mass, so as soon as someone triggers it, you’re having a conversation about what they’ve got on them that the machine has identified. If they can’t or won’t account for that, we’d be looking to search them.

“We’ve detected knives and picked up weapons where people have seen the deployment and discarded them before they’ve got to it. We’ve also seized a lot of nitrous oxide canisters.”

As well as having uniformed officers at the gate, plain-clothes PCs position themselves nearby to spot anyone who suddenly "Southend is a safe place to live" makes a diversion when they see the detector. The individuals would then Inspector Hogben said that despite the focus on the knife carrying, there is no need for the public to be alarmed. either by stopped or tracked using “Knife carrying in Southend is related to certain gangs and they are the council’s CCTV operators and the people we are targeting. The OpenGate makes the city a more apprehended.

Thousands of people have so far passed through the gate, with a number of weapons being recovered as a result.

Inspector Paul Hogben of the Southend Community Policing Team said the system, which was funded

hostile place for these people to operate. They can’t predict when and where they might turn a corner and walk straight into a deployment.

“When we have had incidents involving knives, these have tended to be targeted, involving individuals known to each other.

“Southend is a safe place to live and to visit and we won’t let a tiny minority spoil things for residents and the thousands of visitors who come to city every year.”

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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September 2022

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HAIR & BEAUTY

We need to talk about

female hair loss

C

ommonly thought to be the sole preserve of men, hair loss affects approximately 40% of women by the time they reach their 50s.

But even though so many women are affected, it is rarely, openly discussed.

Typically, the hair cycle follows four phases: Anagen (growth), Catagen (end of growth cycle), Telogen (dormancy), and Exogen (shedding). Each hair follicle goes through this process at different times, otherwise we would lose all of our hair at the same time…

But if you’re finding extra hairs on your pillow, hairbrush or in the shower, it could mean your hair growth cycle has been disrupted.

Reasons for hair loss This can be caused by straight forward genetics, or by external factors such as hormonal changes, such as menopause and childbirth. Stress, illness and weight loss have also been identified as reasons for hair loss.

No matter what the cause, for people with thinning hair the main treatment is to stimulate hair follicles to function to their best ability.

In the first instance, talk to your stylist Choose styling products that have been formulated with nutrients like keratin, collagen, biotin and natural actives to make hair grow fuller and healthier.

A good diet is also important. One rich in omegas, iron and zinc will make a positive contribution to reducing stress-related hair loss. You can also be kinder to your hair when it is wet. After washing, your hair is at its most fragile, so use a wide-toothed comb starting from the bottom and working your way up.

Above all, it is important to remember that life happens. Sometimes there are things going on in your body that you have no control over or understanding as to what’s going on. In the first instance, talk to your stylist, as an expert and someone who has great knowledge of you and your hair.

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September 2022

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September 2022

JURY FINANCIAL

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We understand that family is the most important thing in your life. So it’s good to know that, with the right advice, protecting them can be easy should the unthinkable happen. It can also be immensely reassuring.

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37

HEALTH & WELLBEING

Skin Cancer A cause for S

concern?

tatistics suggest 1 in 36 males and 1 in 47 femaies will be diagnosed with melanoma during their lifetime and it is one of the biggest killing cancers in the 15-34 age group (Cancer Research UK), The rates of skin cancer are increasing faster than any other cancer in the UK (SKCIN).

We really do have problem; alarmingly skin cancer is now the UKs most common cancer. There are over 210,000 cases of non melanoma reported and over 16,000 melanoma cases annually (Cancer Research UK N.d.). The figures are growing rapidly which is alarming. Interestingly 90% of all skin cancers are caused by over exposure to ultraviolet radiation whether this be artificial or natural exposure making the disease entirely preventable (SKCIN N.d.).

We need to act now With temperatures now soaring and the UV index being higher than it has ever been, will this constant sun exposure be part of the norm. If so, we are heading into trouble and what impact will this have on people’s future health?

We need to act now to help raise 38

awareness of the disease and help change behaviours. Prevention is better than cure with 90% of cases being preventable is education and early intervention the way to tackle this public health concern? All of us need to take action to be well

by Jodie Newman Education Nurse British Dermatological Nursing Group

(continue in page 40)

So what are the risk factors for skin cancer? n History of blistering sunburns n Use of sunbeds due to the increase UV exposure n Patients with fair skin, freckling and light hair n Immunosuppression n Family history of melanoma n Previous non-melanoma skin cancer nP atients with genetically inherited disease such as Gorlin-Goltz or Smith-Ferguson syndromes nM ultiple presence of atypical or dysplastic nevi (The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust N.d.)

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HEALTH & WELLBEING The ABDCE Mole checklist includes the following: n Asymmetrical – melanomas usually have 2 very different halves and are an irregular shape n Border – melanomas usually have a notched or ragged border n Colours – melanomas will usually be a mix of 2 or more colours n Diameter – most melanomas are usually larger than 6mm in diameter n Enlargement or elevation – a mole that changes size over time is more likely to be a melanoma (NHS UK, 2020)

informed and equipped with the resources to seek further advice if we have any concerns. Early detection and prevention of disease may just help treatment outcomes and help save lives (SKCIN N.d.)

The National Health Service (NHS) uses the globally recognised ABCDE checklist for patients to self-assess and seek referral if there are concerned or suspect a melanoma skin cancer, the deadliest form of skin cancer.

People should be aware Should a mole display any of the concerning features as mentioned above then people should seek advice from their general practitioner (GP) who can refer to a local dermatology department for further clinical review.

Skin cancer typically is broken down into two types, melanoma and non-melanoma which includes Basal cell

carcinomas (BCC) , and Squamous cell carcinomas (SCC), these are usually not life threatening, but can be invasive (SCC) destructive (BCC) if left untreated. However, Melanoma is the deadliest form of the disease.

Melanoma can spread in the lymphatic system and metastasise to other areas of the body and over 3500 people die each year due to Melanoma (Cancer Research, UK).

People should be aware that should any new, longstanding or rapidly growing lesions appear on the skin it is important that these be checked by health care professional. The key message is, if in doubt get it checked out.

The national charity Skcin is the UK only charity dedicated to raising awarness of skin cancer and promoting early detection and sun safety. Educational intervention is a core aspect their work and they run 6 national education programmes working with at risk and influential audiences, from programme working with Primary schools and nursery settings www.sunsafeschools. co.uk and www.sunsafenurseries. co.uk to online training courses for the hair and beauty industry www. masced.uk to courses for Healthcare professionals https://pro.masced. uk. Their web site is wealth of information. www.skcin.org

Their latest initiative is free App for the public Technology is always evolving so to support people in self educating themselves on the important of sun awareness and skin surveillance is key and needs to exploited. Skcin’s free App has been designed to help people take charge of the own skin health and also provide useful tools to help change behaviour. The App can be located on users mobile phone via internet search for skcin.app.org.

40

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It contains a wealth of information on the topic of skin cancer as well as some optional in app purchases to help users improve this knowledge and reduce their risk of skin cancer.

Lets all take charge and not fall victim to skin cancer and become another statistic, but learn how to keep ourselves and our loved ones sun safe.

September 2022

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September 2022

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Really positive signs Hopson Property Services

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September 2022

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RECIPE

Plum and Apple Cobbler

by Judy Barden

T

Mext month recipe: 'Spaghetti Bolognese with Porcini and Italian sausage'

his is one of those easy desserts that fall into the ‘comfort food’ category. A cobbler is like a scone mixture and makes a change from a crumble.

September is also a great time for blackberries so you could easily replace the plums. Thick custard, cream or ice cream to serve. Enjoy!

For the fruit, put all the ingredients in a saucepan.

Cook over a low heat, stirring until the butter has melted and the sugar has dissolved, then leave to simmer until you have a chunky fruit compote, then set aside.

Heat oven to 190C/170C fan/ gas 6. Whisk the egg into the milk and set aside. Rub the butter and the flour together until it has the texture of chunky breadcrumbs, then stir in the caster sugar, cinnamon, baking powder and a large pinch of salt.

Pour in the milk mixture and

bring together to form a thick, batter-like texture.

Tip the compote into a baking dish and top with large spoonfuls of the cobbler mix, making sure there are a few gaps for the fruit to bubble through, then sprinkle everything with the demerara sugar. Bake for 35-40 mins or until the topping is golden and just cooked through. Remove from the oven and leave to rest for 5 mins before serving straight from the dish with generous spoonfuls of custard, cream or ice cream (or all 3)

ORACLE

estate planning In association with Countrywide SE LLP 44

Ingredients SERVES 8-10 For the Fruit 30g butter, cubed 100g golden caster sugar 2 vanilla pods, seeds scraped out 700g firm plums, stoned and roughly chopped Braeburn apples, peeled, cored 300g and chopped 1 tsp cinnamon For the cobbler dough 1 egg 100ml milk 140g cold butter, cut into cubes 280g plain flour 140g golden caster sugar ½ tsp cinnamon 1 tbsp baking powder 2 tbsp demerara sugar

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September 2022

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47

MP'S COLUMN

Making Waves I

t is now six months since I was elected the Member of Parliament for Southend West – it has certainly been an eventful time!

It is the honour of my life to represent the city I was born in, and one of the greatest joys has been meeting so many people who live and work here. I hold regular surgeries, and I visit as much of the constituency as possible every week.

It was a particular joy to celebrate the Jubilee Weekend with people in every ward in Southend West, and it was heart-warming to see our community come together in such a positive way.

18 more police officers

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

I have been working hard for everyone who lives and works here, and I am delighted that I have already had success in making our community safer, healthier and wealthier.

One of the first things I started to campaign for when I became the MP was funding for new state-ofthe-art electronic knife-poles for our police, which are a cheap and effective way of detecting weapons.

I am thrilled that these are now out in our community in a unique pilot scheme. I am also very pleased that we have 18 more police officers on our streets.

I am delighted that we have 111 new ambulance staff and 11 new ambulances on our streets, as well

as a fantastic new £1.2 million extension at Southend Hospital. I am continuing to bang the drum for the exciting plans for the renovation of the A&E Department.

I have secured a government commitment for a much-needed improvement to Chalkwell Station, which will be receiving new lifts this autumn so that it can be fully disabled friendly.

UK City of Culture 2029 Going forward, I want to make the most of our new city status, celebrating everything that is so special about our brilliant city. I have launched a campaign to become the UK City of Culture 2029, which will bring huge benefits to our economy and our cultural standing.

I am looking forward to continuing to serve the people of Southend West, and I hope to meet as many of you as possible!

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

48

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September 2022

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September 2022

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.

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

What can we do for you?

Divorce, Separation and Arrangements for Children Sadly, not all family unions work out as hoped.

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Legal Aid You may be eligible for legal aid but if not, we offer competitive rates.

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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.

September 2022

White & Co Co. Solicitors have again enjoyed sponsoring Thorpe Bay Yacht Club Cadet Week.

This August was a fantastic, fun-filled time for children learning to sail. Supporting our local community is our passion. Children and family are our speciality.

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ESTATE PLANNING

Protect your Bloodline 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  Wills  Lasting Powers of Attorney  Trusts  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 or for any further information or advice, please feel free to contact me on 01702 393838.

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

by Clive Rowe, Oracle Estate Planning in association with Countrywide SE LLP

ORACLE estate planning

In association with Countrywide SE LLP 52

!

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

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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September 2022

September 2022

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t. 1982

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56

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WIN NEW CLIENTS * WIN NEW CLIENTS * WIN NEW CLIENTS * WIN NEW CLIENTS

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