Thorpe bay jan 2015 web

Thorpe Bay

January 2015

ORACLE Thorpe Bay at a glance Est. Sept 2005. Circulation 5,100

Oracle Competition WIN! A night’s stay including breakfast at Beaches Guest House - worth £110

Local Issues

FREE Business Training Workshops

Council News

The Pier is safe in our hands

Oracle Travel Bern - Endless Possibilities

carpets tc t rugs

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Westcliff

01702 714031

www.oraclepublications.co.uk

we've got it covered Rayleigh

01268 742525

JANUARY 2015

EST FREE IMA TES

OR ACLE Publisher’s letter

A

fter 8 years above Hopson’s Estate Agents, Oracle is finally moving and will be operating from its new premises at the beginning of January. The phone number and email address will remain the same. Please see below for Oracle’s new address from early January 2015.

Oracle’s competition this month kicks off the New Year with a great start with an opportunity to spend a night at the newly refurbished Beaches Guest House, on Eastern Esplanade. It has recently reopened its doors after being closed for 8 months. You won't be disappointed as the transformation is truly stunning and no expense has been spared.This month one lucky Oracle reader plus partner will have the chance to spend the night in one of Beaches premier rooms which includes an ensuite shower plus a balcony with sea views across the Thames estuary. The night’s accommodation will also include a full English breakfast. This wonderful prize would normally cost £110. (Please note that the prize must be redeemed by the end of February 2015 and excludes Valentine’s weekend).

To enter please send your contact details to: Oracle/Beaches Guest House Competition, Oracle House, 11 Clarence Road, Southend-on-Sea, Essex SS1 1AN or email info@oraclepublications.co.uk. Closing date 29th January 2015.

Lastly,I would like to wish you all a very Happy New Year!

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ORACLE PLUMBING & HEATING

contents Local Issues FREE Business Training Workshops for all Southend businesses!

by Sophia Merison

9/10

My rules for 2015 Hair & Beauty by Craig Smith

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Bern - Endless Possibilities Oracle Travel by Emma Wynne-Morgan

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Local Issues

FREE Business Training Workshops for all Southend businesses!

Looking to build up your business, or thinking about starting your own business? - For free help, look no further…

E

ssex Chambers of Commerce have been chosen by Southend-on-Sea Borough Council to be principal delivery partners for THE BUSINESS, a range of fully-funded business training workshops available to businesses in the Southend-on-Sea area.

for local businesses to upskill their staff or even begin their own business!

THE BUSINESS project has already had just over 700 bookings for a variety of workshops and that number is growing daily. The bookings have come from over 175 different local companies, all Southend-on-Sea Borough Council have secured eager to increase the knowledge of their £1.8m of regional growth funding (RGF) to deliver managers and staff, leading to job creation and a business support programme to help job safeguarding. As well as great opportunities Southend’s small and medium sized enterprises to expand your knowledge on subjects such as to grow and prosper. The funding was secured Social Media for Business, Marketing, Personal from the government’s regional growth fund Development, Contracts of Employment, Health through Lancaster University, who are leading the and Safety Basics, Presentation Skills, Public creation of 15 new growth hubs across the UK. Speaking and more, these workshops also give The programme includes grants and workshop local businesses the chance to network, all in the support for new and growing business.

Fully funded workshops for Southend businesses Delivery of the workshop programme got underway in September and will continue until at least March 2015. The objectives are to boost local business sustainability and future prosperity.

Essex Chambers of Commerce were selected for the delivery role due to their understanding of the issues facing growing businesses and their affinity with local business networks along with their wider view of commercial activity across the region.

The workshops are being fully-funded by Southend-on-Sea Borough Council, meaning that all places are available FREE OF CHARGE! And with 28 workshops due to be run between January and March 2015, there are still plenty of opportunities JANUARY 2015

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magnificent University of Essex Southend venue, with refreshments and food also provided.

Free Business Training :- A feast of knowledge

Full day and half day workshops are available, with tea and coffee provided for all workshops and lunch being provided for full day bookings.

To find out how you and your company can benefit from these great workshops, all of which are being run by local business professionals, please check out the website at www.networkingon-sea.co.uk/the_business_-_workshops.htm where places can be booked. Alternatively, if you need any further information or have any questions, please call David Goody on 01702 560 108 or Sophia Merison on 01702 560 105 at Essex Chambers of Commerce, who will be only too please do chat and make bookings for you.

Make that New Year’s Resolution come true! Start or expand your own business in 2015!!

A few Testimonials "I can honestly say that it was one of the most informative sessions I have been to in a very long time.

Thank you again for what was a fantastic session and I look forward to the next one" ‘’A good informational talk. This could make a massive difference to our company for the future!’’

“These workshops are brilliant, I am learning so much.

Thank you Southend Borough Council and Essex Chambers of Commerce for putting these on” "Having a small Business gives us several options in how we stay up to speed with all the specialist areas essential for staying within the Law and operating a Company to the highest possible standards. We have used most of them; website

information, advice lines and training courses. Of the training courses, small Business owners naturally look out for the cheaper or free ones.

Experience tells me that often the free ones turn out to tell you what you already know or are of a quality that leaves you feeling you have wasted precious working hours. This is not true of these free 'Essex Chambers of Commerce' Workshops. So far, I have been to two of some of the most 'dry' subject areas; 'Health and Safety' and 'Employment Law' however, both of the Workshops have been professionally run with an excellent content and delivery combined with an angle that has made the subjects interesting.

Thank you to everybody involved in making these a success. I highly recommend them to all local small Business owners."

“Extremely helpful, insightful, valid information.

Additional skills learnt. Would definitely attend again.”

“Excellent and informative, best of all its FREE! A valuable day – time well spent.”

“Another excellent workshop and another excellent presenter. Thank you very much, I shall be booking more.”

“I have been on two courses that have been very useful and will help to run a better business and save jobs.”

by Sophia Merison Essex Chambers of Commerce 01702 560 100

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Design, service & quality

Beautifully bespoke kitchens DK2 Kitchens of Leigh-on-Sea can help you design, update and improve your kitchen, by providing ideas, inspiration and advice to guide \RX WKURXJK WKH ED̈ LQJ FKRLFH RI NLWFKHQ products and designs available today. And, once you’ve settled on a kitchen design that’s right for your home or project, we will supply and install your made to measure kitchen at a price you will be delighted with. &RPH DQG ¿ QG \RXU GUHDP NLWFKHQ WRGD\ LQ RXU QHZ /HLJK VKRZURRP

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Oracle Hair & Beauty

My rules for 2015…

H

ere’s a thing - well, several in fact, but first things first - I can see into the future. Here are my predictions for the hottest hair and beauty trends in the coming months.

They don’t call me Psychic Smith for nothing...

Overall, my top tip is that this year less is most definitely more. Simple, retro styles will again be to the fore - but not at the expense of looking glamorous and sexy.

working up and down the strands several times and then unravelling them to reveal crimps…

To go with the innocent, carefree look of centrepartings, a fresh-faced, barely-there approach to make-up works wonderfully. Nude lips were also seen in Paris and for today’s uber busy, time-poor woman this is welcome news.

slicked back, wet look

Play with thick lashes

Barefaced beauty is also complimented by another re-emerging hair trend; the slicked back, wet look.

If you’ve got high cheekbones and a strong jaw line, this style will look amazing on you and – bonus - you’ll look fabulously fashion-forward just walking out of a really sweaty spin class!

Sultry, smoky eyes will also be on trend. Drawing attention to this part of the face is a super chic and very Parisian. With eyes demanding attention, the New Year is also the perfect time to play with thick lashes to create a 60s, doe-eyed look reminiscent of Twiggy or Jean Shrimpton.

Taking Bohemian, happy-go-lucky nonchalance and making it work in a variety of different social and professional situations takes a little effort.

Adding a little tousled texture and keeping your makeup fuss free will rock formalwear, or suit to a T, slouchy sweaters and ripped jeans.

Remember when the craze for crimped hair swept every 6th form in Britain back in the 80s? Well, if you do and hanker for a return to those heady days, you’re in luck! Thankfully, the 2015 look is far more grown up and won’t have you looking like a member of Sigue Sigue Sputnik. Try crimping the top layer of your hair and then smoothing them into a low ponytail. If you waved goodbye to your crimpers along with your Dead Or Alive posters have a go at clamping thin plaits firmly with straighteners,

Don’t forget: when in doubt, KISS – Keep It Simple, Sexy. Bonne annee!

Centre partings are going to de rigeur. The runway shows held in Paris last Autumn heavily featured this style, with Miranda Kerr and Cara Delevigne being two of its most famous – and stylish – exponents.

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by Craig Smith Sponsored by

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

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Oracle Travel

their ten different panoramic routes. So let the train take the strain for a different kind of holiday.

For more information visit the website: www.swisstravelsystem.com

Non-traditional ski resorts Bern has some great ski destinations on its doorstep. Although not a traditional destination for the English, it is very popular with the locals and caters for skiing, cross-country skiing, sledding and snowshoeing. The Bern region offers 12 small, versatile ski resorts up to 1,800 meters above sea level making the conditions perfect for the whole family. Also, there are so many possibilities for the keen winter sport traveller.

Visit the frozen Schwarzsee mountain lake and its wonderful ice skating experience, or go on a horsedrawn sled ride over the frozen lake.

Stay at the Iglu-Hotel Kemmeriboden-Bad, which offers an igloo guesthouse for an overnight stay or just visit for a Fondue party after an outing in the snow. The possibilities are endless.

Bern - Endless Possibilities

L

ast month, I gave you a very brief insight of what to expect when flying from Southend to Bern, Switzerland. Bern and the surrounding area has a huge amount to offer and although I am not able to cover the plethora of exciting options available, I do want to highlight a few more reasons why this additional route from Southend Airport to Bern, flying SkyWork Airlines, is such a great destination.

Find out more To help guide you on your new winter experience/adventure to the Bern region, please visit www.bern.com/winter

by Emma Wynne-Morgan

O

For example, if visiting the picturesque Island of Elba, off the coast of Italy, has up to now only been a dream, then you will be pleased to know that SkyWork Airlines is one of the few airlines, due to their plane’s size, that are able to land on Elba cutting out the hassle of flying to the mainland, making the laborious journey across to the coast and then catching a ferry over to the island!

Panorama Pleasures When it comes to train travel, the Swiss are world champions, both domestically and internationally.

With their expertise the Swiss train companies have developed specially designed glass cabined trains, so you can sit back and enjoy the beautiful scenery on

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Council News

The Pier is safe in our hands R

ecently there has been some sensationalised local press coverage and wild stories concerning the future of Southend-onSea’s pier. Contrary to reports the pier is not about to collapse and fall down into the sea.The doom and gloom stories are a work of fiction and a victim of someone’s vivid imagination based upon a condition survey that is carried out every five years.

The Pier as an historic structure which is listed and to maintain its listing, needs to be surveyed every five years and any work recommended by the survey has to be carried out under one of three categories, each with different priorities – High, Medium and Low.

High Priority

High Priority requires "Work done as soon as practically possible to ensure the safety of the public or safeguard its structural integrity."

Medium Priority states "Work that should be done within 2-5 years which if postponed carries some risk of structural integrity or public safety.”

Low risk is work that needs to be done within the next 5-10 years and monitored during future inspections.

Naturally, just like a house, if none of the work is done then there may be a risk to the Pier, but under my current administration it is intended to build into our capital budgets sufficient funding to ensure the continued viability of one of the town’s great assets.

The inspection report has highlighted the priority

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T H O R P E B AY O R A C L E

work required; therefore we are allocating £600,000 into next year’s budget with just over a further £2 million in the next four years, totalling £2,650,000.

Commitment by the Council I hope that the information above shows a commitment by the council to allay fears about the physical state of the Pier, the real challenge for all of us residents is to decide what is required in terms of future attractions are needed, to bring our Pier back to being once again the wonderful old lady of Southend-on-Sea. The Council, its officers or councillors do not have all the answers for the regeneration of the Pier.Therefore I would welcome constructive suggestions that we could pursue.

Seaway Car park Following on from last month’s article on developing Southend, I have now signed the agreement to allow, subject to planning approval, for the development of the Seaway car park opposite Lucy Road. This is another golden opportunity which will create 450 jobs, a multi-cinema complex, retail outlets, restaurants, accommodation and replacement car-parking.

I wish you and your families a very happy and prosperous New Year,

O

Cllr Ron Woodley Leader of Southend-on-Sea Borough Council

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T H O R P E B AY O R A C L E

27

CREATE YOUR OWN UNIQUE RUG OR CHOOSE FROM OUR HAND-PICKED EXQUISITE DESIGNS BESPOKE RUG DESIGN Pop in to our shop and select from a range of beautiful carpets in any colour or pattern and co-ordinate with over 120 border options to create your own unique home accessory.

Enjoy virtually wall to wall covering for a sumptuous feeling.

HAND-PICKED CARPETS AND RUGS If designing your own creation isn’t your cup of tea – leave it to us.

We hand-pick our carpets and rugs from all over the world so you can have something special in your home.

170 THE BROADWAY, THORPE BAY, ESSEX SS1 3ES 01702 582 106 – info@loomhome.co.uk – www.loomhome.co.uk

January 2015 Offer: Trial and Consultation - only £50

Advertorial

until the end of January 2015

We are promoting our Specialist Combined Treatment Programmes because our experienced, insured and fully qualified Practitioners have taken full advantage of all the technology now at their disposal to achieve optimum results for their Clients.

The state of the art technology available at Cliff House Clinic includes:Advanced Laser Lipo (using 154 high powered lasers to empty fat cells)

Cavitation Therapy (to break down fat cells)

InfraRed Therapy (to enhance the destruction of fat cells)

Beauty beyond the basics Happy New Year to you all from Cliff House Clinic!

T

he Festive Season has come and – for most of us – has gone in a flash.

Decorations are probably being carefully tucked away for their next outing, some twelve months hence, and we hopefully confront the New Year with optimism and cheer!

Presso Therapy (to promote fat loss and to tighten skin)

Radio Frequency (to tighten loose skin)

Lymphatic Drainage (to boost the removal of released fats)

Cliff House Clinic attends to each of its Clients on a bespoke basis. We insist upon a proper Consultation before we recommend a specific Combined Treatment Programme for any new Client. This is because we aim to provide a truly professional and wholly satisfactory experience for all of our Clients.

We want YOU to tell us what YOU wish to achieve.

So, a Trial and Consultation is available for £50 until the end of January. Tighten the waist without strangling the wallet!

It’s fairly easy to tuck away the decorations: quite another to look at the results of what we may have ”tucked away”during the Christmas and New Year festivities.

O

The waist band may have expanded whilst the bank account may have shrunk. Cliff House Clinic understands the problems!

For that reason, we propose to offer trial treatments at a discounted cost for our various Specialist Combined Treatment Programmes until the end of this January.

JANUARY 2015

01702 431 970 24 Clifftown Parade, Southend-on-Sea, Essex, SS1 1DN

www.oraclepublications.co.uk

penny@essexlaserlipo.com www.essexlaserlipo.com T H O R P E B AY O R A C L E

29

30

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JANUARY 2015

Help us celebrate 90 years of memories This year, Thorpe Hall School celebrates 90 years of excellence in education. In a year-long tribute we will be tracking the history of Thorpe Hall and its educational and cultural heritage.

If you are an Old Thorpe Hallian or have relatives that attended or worked at the school, we would love to hear from you. Our aim is to bring together all generations, enjoy shared memories and mark this very special anniversary.

Share your memories at: facebook.com/thorpehall Or by post to: 90th Anniversary, Thorpe Hall School, Wakering Road, Southend On Sea, Essex, SS1 3RD

www.thorpehallschool.co.uk JANUARY 2015

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T H O R P E B AY O R A C L E

31

For more informatio n or a

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JANUARY 2015

Oracle is on the move!

From January 2015, Oracle will be moving to its new premises.

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

OR ACLE publications (uk) ltd

01702 393838 www.oraclepublications.co.uk

recipe of the month

Ingredients continued...

3-4 sprigs sage, leaves picked and chopped 3-4 sprigs thyme, leaves picked and chopped 2 tsp ground cumin 2 tsp ground coriander 1 tsp turmeric 1 tbsp plain flour 400g can butter beans, drained crusty bread, to serve

In the Kitchen with Judy Barden

Method: Heat the oil in a large saucepan and add the chicken thighs and brown on all sides, then remove and set aside. Add the onions to the oil and cook for 10 mins until starting to caramelise. Add the carrots, herbs, spices and flour, and stir for 1-2 mins to toast the spices. Add the browned chicken thighs and stock. Stir well, cover and simmer for 30 mins.

If using chicken thighs, remove them from the pan, shred the meat and discard the bones. Add the meat back into the soup, along with the butter beans, season and heat through for 1-2 mins.

Use a hand-held blender to blitz the soup until smooth, or leave it chunky. Or blend about half, so it’s creamy but still has chunks of chicken, carrot and butter bean. Serve with extra pepper, and good crusty bread.

Herby chicken & butter bean soup

To get ahead: The soup can be made up to 2 days ahead.

T

his is a lovely warming winter soup and has become one of my favourites.

Chunky and rustic, it is packed with flavour and you could also make it with leftover chicken or turkey.

Lovely big piece of crusty bread is all you need on a cold January day.

To freeze: The soup can be frozen up to 1 month ahead.

O

Next month’s recipe: Spicy Fish Wraps

Enjoy!

Mobile Website Solutions

Serves 6

Ingredients 4 skinless chicken thighs with bones 1½ / 2 ½ pints litres chicken stock 2 tbsp olive or rapeseed oil 2 onions, chopped 6 carrots, chopped 3-4 sprigs rosemary, leaves picked and chopped

34

T H O R P E B AY O R A C L E

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35

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JANUARY 2015

THE CAT HOTEL Run by cat lovers for cat lovers Celebrating 23 years of happy and contented feline boarders and looking forward to a further 23 years.

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All major credit cards accepted T H O R P E B AY O R A C L E

37

Oracle Security

Security : Grilles, Bars & Roller Shutters

I

f you’ve been following our articles about beefing up your security but more IMPORTANTLY, taking action too; you should be ‘as safe as safe can be’ but… you can always go the extra mile to make sure you feel even safer, more secure, protected & self-assured”.

Rise in Crime No matter what you hear, crime is on the increase, and if you’re like most of us you’ll do nothing about it until something does happen, and when it does you’ll shout and scream, holler and probably shout again, but you might as well be having a go at yourself for not taking heed.

Where crime is concerned, you should NEVER EVER put off till tomorrow what can be done today.

If however you’ve taken action you can give yourself a pat on the back for a job well done but… If you’d like to go the extra mile, you might want to double check that you’ve done all there is to do & consider installing Security Bars, Grilles or even Roller Shutters.

A}

1. Locks (previous Oracle issue) 2. Safe/Security Boxes (previous Oracle issue)

B}

3. Alarms (previous Oracle issue) 4. CCTV (previous Oracle issue)

C}

5. Laminated Glass/Bandit Film (last issue) 6. Grilles, Bars & or Roller Shutters (this issue)

38

T H O R P E B AY O R A C L E

If you want your place ‘safer than safe’ you should consider installing grilles, bars or roller shutters to further safeguard your windows & doors. You know the ones, they’re the sort that we all see when we’re abroad, the ones that make your place pretty impregnable.

So, now you know your ‘ABC’, all that remains is NOT to do the typical ‘Brit’ thing; to sit back and wait for something to happen, but to take the ‘bull by the horns’ and to do something about it before it’s too late.

O

01702 346 274 www.brightslocksmiths.co.uk

www.oraclepublications.co.uk

JANUARY 2015

JANUARY 2015

www.oraclepublications.co.uk

T H O R P E B AY O R A C L E

39

A little corner of an English Heaven

Savour a drink and good company at the award-winning, traditional, Angel Inn, Free House. at North Shoebury

Enjoy the west-facing, beer-garden and extensive views across ripening cornfields. Thatched roof, flagstone floor, exposed timbers, wide range of Real Ales, good wines and excellent food.

No gaming machines. No loud music. No TV screens. Heaven!

The Angel Inn OPEN 11am - 11pm (Closed 3-5:30) Mon-Sat. 12pm - 11pm Sun

01702 589600

Parsons Corner, North Shoebury SS3 8UD

40

T H O R P E B AY O R A C L E

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JANUARY 2015

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JANE CHURCHILL

DESIGN, STYLE & CRAFTSMANSHIP Visit our extensive showroom and workshop in Thorpe Bay. We offer a complete interior design service.

A fantastic choice of styles, finishes, fabrics, leathers, accessories, BESPOKE UPHOLSTERY AND CURTAINS – a talented and dedicated team of interior designers, furniture craftsmen and curtain makers to create your specific requirements – let us transform your home. We also provide a full RE-UPHOLSTERY and RE-MODELLING service and have a huge selection of FABRICS, WALLPAPERS and CARPETS. Interior design by MICHELLE ELLIOTT-BRITTO.

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ROMO

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Oracle Gardening

Common Winter Pond Dilemmas H

appy New Year! Last month we looked at winter garden care, but what if you have specific concerns about your pond? Letâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s tackle some of the most common dilemmas.

The pond has frozen!

Melt iced ponds by using a pan of hot water to gently thaw it. If you have fish in your pond, be careful not to break the ice as the vibrations will upset them. Placing a ball in the pond will slow down the onset of a frosted surface.

Is there enough oxygen?

Many people worry about the oxygen levels in their pond, particularly if it is particularly deep. Set your mind at ease by installing a pump. This will keep water moving around your pond, keeping plants, frogs and fish happy.

Is the pond too dark?

Make sure algae and underwater plants are able to continue photosynthesizing by ensuring as much light as possible hits the pond. You can do this by cutting back branches and overhanging trees.

You can further increase the oxygen levels by introducing oxygenating plants to your pond during March and April.

until February time. Some frogs and newts may leave the pond to find an alternative, safe hibernation spot, usually in a log or compost heap.

Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve disturbed a hibernating animal!

If you have disturbed a hibernating animal, place it back where you found it, or somewhere safe from predators. Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t place it somewhere warm, just an area that is frost-free. You should never purposely disturb an animal from hibernation.

Looking after your pond should be part of your winter garden upkeep routine. Without proper care, ponds can quickly start to deteriorate.

Make sure yours is well maintained and you will have less work to do in the springtime.

O

Are there hibernating creatures in my pond?

From November, frogs and newts will bury themselves into the mud at the bottom of the pond, where it is slightly warmer, and hibernate

42

T H O R P E B AY O R A C L E

07708 509415 www.jamesdaltonlandscaping.com info@jamesdaltonlandscaping.com

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JANUARY 2015

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

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T H O R P E B AY O R A C L E

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T H O R P E B AY O R A C L E

45

ORACLE Enigmas No humdrum conundrum s

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SHELL

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

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

est. 30yrs

01702 472574 863 London Road, Chalkwell SS0 9SZ (opposite Chalkwell Park)

GUT GUTTER TER CLEANING ŽŶ͛ƚ ZŝƐŬ KǀĞƌŇŽǁŝŶŐ 'ƵƩĞƌƐ ƚŚŝƐ ǁŝŶƚĞƌ͘​͘​͘ ŽŶ͛ƚ ZŝƐŬ KǀĞƌŇŽǁŝŶŐ 'ƵƩĞƌƐ ƚŚŝƐ ǁŝŶƚĞƌ͘​͘​͘ ͘​͘​͘ŝƚ ĐĂŶ ĚĂŵĂŐĞ LJŽƵƌ ŚŽŵĞ ŵĂŬŝŶŐ ŝƚ ĚĂŵƉ͊ ͘​͘​͘ŝƚ ĐĂŶ ĚĂŵĂŐĞ LJŽƵƌ ŚŽŵĞ ŵĂŬŝŶŐ ŝƚ ĚĂŵƉ͊

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LAST MONTH’S SOLUTIONS

46

PLANT

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

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47

Advertorial

Academy Plus I

t has been an amazing year for Shoeburyness High School. August saw the best results ever achieved by the school, 59% 5 GCSEs A* to C, including English and Maths, an increase of 14%. These results included 80 A* grades (up 116%), 267 A grades (up 78%) and 565 B grades (up 58%). A level results also improved with a pass rate of 98%. Attendance is also above national average.But with these impressive results, do we stand still? No, not at Shoeburyness High School and Thursday 23rd November 2014 saw the launch of the Academy Plus programme.

The Academy Plus programme is about extension and enrichment for all students, based soley on their interest not their particular ability in that area.

It can also offer the opportunity for students of all ages to work together.

After School On 23rd November 2014 we had on offer over 30 Academy Plus groups for students to choose from.

They ranged from Astronomy and Space/Physics to Forest Schools and from Digital Art to Boat Building. All subjects offered an Academy Plus group that will take place after school. It was amazing to see the sheer enthusiasm generated for the additional learning, including the queues at Mathematics and Modern Foreign Languages â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Spanish and French.

No-one will forget our Year 7 pupils signing up for the Basketball Academy Plus with our Year 12 and 13 Basketball Academy students towering above them, most of whom top 6ft!

Shoeburyness High School has always run afterschool clubs and organises activities for our community through our newly appointed Community Ambassador. Academy Plus is different however: it is much more structured, it reflects our ethos of engagement and learning and, yes, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s all free!

48

T H O R P E B AY O R A C L E

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JANUARY 2015

Be the Best You Can Be

Continuing on from the success of last year, the launch of the“Be the Best You Can Be”programme happened on the 16th September.The“Be the Best You Can Be” programme enables pupils to realise their dreams by teaching them how to set targets and measure themselves using the GROW (Goal, Reality, Options and Will) model. Again we were joined by Paralympian Wendy Smith to launch the programme.

Wendy told us about her life, growing up in a pub in Essex. She then described the motorbike accident that broke her back. Doctors told her that she wouldn’t walk again, but Wendy didn’t let that affect her. She joined a wheelchair basketball team and was selected to play for England in the Athens Paralympics. She told us about her accomplishments that recently enabled her to ride a motorbike again around a track. Her determination and spirit came across to the year 7 pupils. The programme runs during Period 1 with the pupils learning tutors, this is where they discuss their goals and targets and develop the skills needed to achieve them.

Academic Mentoring also takes place during Period 1. Dedicated Learning Mentors have focused conversations with students about their learning.They ensure that students are on track to achieve their Learning Targets and offer help and support if they need it.The students can have up to 4 learning conversations a half term depending on need and the dining hall is a hive of activity in the mornings. A recent addition is older students

mentoring younger pupils. We have a targeted group of Year 9 students who are working with Year 7 pupils to help with their academic studies.

Again they meet in the dining hall during Period 1.

It is great to see the older students taking on the responsibility to help the younger pupils develop.

Shoeburyness High School has built its reputation on being unique and different, for being innovative and now highly successful. Academy Plus is here to widen students’ experiences, to deepen their knowledge of subjects and develop a true love of learning that will not only support their learning in school but in their lives in years to come.

Mark Schofield Headteacher

Reanne Nash and Matthew Ford have both been given full scholarships to the Italia Conti School of Performing Arts. It is very unusual for two members of one institution to be awarded scholarships – so well done to them both.

O Shoeburyness High School 01702 292286 schooloffice@shoeburyness.southend.sch.uk www.shoeburynesshigh.co.uk JANUARY 2015

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49

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A LOCAL PLUMBER FOR LOCAL PEOPLE JANUARY 2015

The London Cup

“

Hayden entered the London Cup this year which is televised on Sky Motors TV and Sky Sports Chanel, after troubles in qualifying due to rain and being on the wrong set up he finally qualified 10th from 28 drivers, other drivers ahead of him included European and World championships with a wealth of experience disproportionate to his relatively short career, yet Hayden delivered a fantastic performance finally finishing 5th and stepping onto the podium.

Fast Lane I

'm 16 years old and dream of one day being a professional racing driver. I'm doing everything I can to get there. I hope you join me on my journey.”

Karting has given birth to Formula 1 stars, including Fernando Alonso, Jenson Button, Lewis Hamilton, Michael Schumacher, Sebastian Vettel and many more. Hayden has been inspired by the rise of these individuals and took his next step by competing in local Club Championships in 2013/14.

Hayden was under no illusion that his first season in MSA Karting was going to be a tough learning experience, up against others that have been in the sport for years and a late starter at 14. Despite all this he surpassed all expectations and passed his MSA ARKS Racing License test and passed first time. These machines are much more powerful than anything Hayden had driven before.

Reaching speeds up to 70mph, these karts require a Motor Sports Association (MSA) racing license to compete in.

If you would like to watch the race you can by copying the link for YouTube (http://youtu.be/5Je_j1x3So).

“Leading the HKC Championship for almost 10 months with a massive lead but unfortunately due to problems and some injury I have had to miss the last two races but this has given me the experience and the goals that I have been looking for.”

I really hope next year will be the best yet I have the experience I need to succeed in my motorsport journey. You can follow me on my journey on the following.

Twitter.com/haydencater86 Facebook.com/haydencater86 www.haydencaterracing.com Sponsored by:

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53

Air&Back

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Air & Back, the airport-transfer specialists, provide an efficient and friendly door-to-door transfer to and from your airport. seaport or ferry terminal, at a reasonable cost.

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

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01702 535335 Mob: 07976 204016

Furniture restoration restoration Services available:-

French Polishing All Structural Repairs Hand Veneering Cane Seating Leather Desk-Lining Clock-Case Restoration Antique Specialist

Fully-qualified craftsman in an established, local business offering high-quality service.

For a free verbal estimate please call:-

!"#!$ %&'(&"

!##$$!"("'(

T.S. Baskett T.S.Baskett Est. 1992 Established 1992

www.tsbaskett.co.uk

6 Durham Rd. Southend

01702 603766   6 Durham Rd. Southend

JANUARY 2015

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useful numbers ADVICE & HELPLINES Child Protection Citizens Advice Crime Prevention Crimestoppers Cruse Bereavement Care Pier & Foreshore Inspectors Drugs, Alcohol & Substance Misuse HARP National Drugs Freephone Samaritans Southend Talking Newspaper Victim Support Group Southend Council Civic Centre Jobcentre Southend

ANIMAL WELFARE

534495 0844 4770 808 464199 0800 555 111 213843 215620 440400 615000 0800 776900 08457 909090 554536 0845 4565995 215000 575700

Downes & Prtnrs, Veterinary Surgeon RSPCA Rochford

584511 548261

POLICE SERVICES 24 hour Emergency Number 01702 430696 Southend Police Station (24 hours a day) 0300 3334444 Thorpe Ward Neighbourhood Specialist Officer Warren Lamb 07976 325346 Marine Police 01268 775533 HM Coastguard 01702 294998

CLUBS & ASSOCIATIONS Belfairs Mixed Bowling 475766 Burges Estate Residents Association (BERA) 588662 Carers Forum 393933 Charles Dicken’s Fellowship 588069 Cockleshell Clog Morris 479622 Essex Handicrafts Association 479622 Essex Society for Family History 522992 Lower Thames Rowing Club 482205 Prittlewell Bowls Club 612476 Southchurch Park Croquet Club 303957 Southend Blind Welfare Association 342131 Southend Cardiac Support Group 309042 / 293469 Southend Photographic Society 332491 Southend Rugby Club 546682 Southend Golf Club 473206 The English Speaking Union 588069 Thorpe Bay Bowling Club 582074 Thorpe Bay Bridge Club 616145 Thorpe Bay Floral Arrangement Group 585350 Thorpe Bay Lawn Tennis Club 585245 Thorpe Bay Yacht Club 587563 Thorpe Hall Golf Club 582205 Scout Groups Southend, Thorpe Bay & Shoeburyness 587647 Actorcrats (Amateur Dramatics) 306506 Thorpe Bay Art Group 585531 St Augustine's Church 587597 Stone Masons & Dry Stone Wallers 292867 Southend Chess Club Steve Wedlock (Club Secretary) 345902 Southend-on-Sea Lions Club 582828 Southend & District Pensioners Campaign 341047 Thames Estuary Lacemakers 476034

PUBLIC SERVICES Southend Forum 215011 Bournes Green Post Office 582241 Traveline 0871 200 2233 Arriva Southend 08701 201088 First 01268 525251 National Express 08705 80 80 80 Odeon Cinema 0871 2244007 SSAFA (Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen Families Association) 463113

F. Scott Fitzgerald September 24, 1896 – December 21, 1940

HOSPITALS & HEALTH Primary Care Trust Southend General Hospital

224600 435555

LOCAL MP James Duddridge (Con)

01702 616135

PHARMACIES Bansal Pharmacy 587500 178 The Broadway Mon-Fri 9-6.30 pm / Sat 9-1pm Howells & Brooks 582658 The Broadway Mon-Fri 9-6.30 pm / Sat 9-5.30 pm Closed 1-2 pm Wed+Sat.

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Thorpe Bay

ORACLE

ORACLE View the latest issues

Index to advertisers ACCOUNTANTS Taylors Chartered Accountants 24 ADVERTISING Oracle publictions uk LTD 33 AERIALS & SATELLITES 1st South East Aerials 54 43 Essex Digital Services AIRPORT TRANSFER Air & Back 54 ANTIQUE CLOCKS It's About Time 46 BLINDS & SHUTTERS Creative Shutters 11 Worth & Co 39 BLOCK PAVING Brooks Paving 55 BUILDERS Kontor Construction 8 LMJ Building 43 BUILDING SUPPLIES St. Anns 24 CARPENTRY John Sorrell 32 CARPETS Gainsborough Carpets 2 Loom 28 Trade Carpets 5 CARPET CLEANING Gates Services 32 CAT BOARDING The Cat Hotel 37 CLEANING Maid in Essex 12 COMMERCIAL/DOMESTIC PLUMBING & HEATING Essex Maintenance 45 COMPUTER SERVICES Computopia 52 DANCE CLASS Shoebury High School 32 DECORATORS GMH Renovations 6 Keith Gibson 55 MK Decorating 19 Stuart Wylie Decorators 12 DOUBLE GLAZING REPAIR Cloudy 2 Clear 18 ELECTRIC DMB Electric 12 FIREPLACES Fireplace & Design 21 GAT Fireplaces 36

ONLINE FLOORING Daniel James Flooring FUNERAL SERVICES AR Adams Funeral Services FURNITURE RESTORERS TS Baskett GALLERY Gallery 3 GARAGES RS Automotives Service Garage GARDEN CENTRE Morley's Garden Centre GLASS MERCHANT Colin's Glass GRANITE Granite Transformations GUTTER CLEANING New Look Outdoor Cleaning HAIR & BEAUTY Grateful Heads Headhunters HANDYMAN Piper Construction HEALTH & BEAUTY Cliff House Clinic Le Salon Chic HEATING & PLUMBING Son Ray Heating INSURANCE Carroll Insurance INTERIOR DESIGNERS Morris Interiors Ultimate Interiors JEWELLERY AV& BV Andrews KITCHENS DK2 Kitchens Kitchen Base KITCHEN INTERIORS Prittlewell Interiors LANDSCAPING James Dalton Landscaping LIFESTYLE ASSISTANT Greta LOCKSMITHS Brights Locksmiths MARBLE WORKTOP Abbey Marble OPTICAL CC Optical

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Oracle-on-Sea

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Thorpe Bay

January 2015

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

Oracle Competition WIN! A nights stay including breakfast at Beaches Hotel - worth £110

Local Issues

FREE Business Training Workshops

Council News

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THORPE BAY - JAN 2015_Layout 1 16/12/2014 14:42 Page 1

January 2015

The pier is safe in our hands

Oracle Travel Bern - Endless Possibilities

Thorpe Bay at a glance Est. Sept 2005. Circulation 5,100

Oracle Competition WIN! A nights stay including breakfast at Beaches Hotel - worth £110

Local Issues

FREE Business Training Workshops

Council News

The pier is safe in our hands

Oracle Travel Bern - Endless Possibilities

23 25 22 7

To advertise in ORACLE call

01702 393838

8 46 16 17 27 29 35 50 15 41 60 17 14 47 6 42 8 38 19 52

PHOTOGRAPHY Lolo Photography Studios PHYSIOTHERAPIST Physio Answers Susan White PLUMBING & HEATING Brian Lacey Hammond & Son M Walker PUBLIC HOUSE The Angel Inn RESTAURANT CafÈ Masala Trattoria Verde ROOFING Estuary Roofing SCHOOLS Shoebury High School Thorpe Hall School SKIP HIRE Leigh Skip Hire SOLICITORS White & Co TILING G Perks Tiling MCG Tiling TREE SERVICES Mike's Tree Services Treefella Tree-King TV & VIDEO SERVICES HB Electrical UPHOLSTERY Peter Weddell WINDOW CLEANING BC Windows

7 1 54 3 19 4 40 11 44 27 48/49 30/31 53 13 52 24 53 45 27 57 6 51/53

ORACLE - the smart little glossy mags for Southend

Reach over 29,000 readership in Leigh, Chalkwell, Southend Conservation Area & Thorpe Bay hungry for your business Call for a Media Pack or visit www.oraclepublications.co.uk To advertise in ORACLE call 01702 393838 All rights reserved. No part of Oracle Publications UK Ltd. may be reproduced or used in any form or by any means either wholly or in part without prior permission of the publisher. Oracle Publications UK Ltd. is editorially autonomous and the opinions expressed are not those of the publisher unless expressly stated.

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THIS NEW YEAR

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