JANUARY 2013 Leigh Oracle by Oracle Publications

Leigh-on-Sea

January 2013

ORACLE Leigh at a glance

Est. Oct 2006. Circulation 5,500

Oracle Competition WIN! Two FREE tickets to see Carman at Cliffs Pavilion

Local Issues

My Local Hero

Hair & Beauty Baby Bump Beauty

Oracle Music Box New music for 2013

Recipe Chickpea, Chorizo and Tomato Soup OF

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HAPPY NEW YEAR! Leigh

OR ACLE

publisher’s letter

appy New Year to you all! This month’s Local Issues is about a very inspirational local man, Clarence Adoo. I had the pleasure of meeting Clarence back in November and was really touched by this man’s outlook on life although he lives with the most dreadful disability. Clarence’s achievements are outstanding and when reading about him you can’t help but be inspired and appreciate your own life more, I really recommend the read. With the new year ahead it is a time when many people will be thinking about a New Years resolution, whether it is to lose weight, get fit, move house, give up smoking, study harder etc… whatever resolution you decide upon there are a number of local businesses who are happy to offer their particular service/product in order to help you reach your goal. Our competition this month is for one lucky winner to win two tickets to see the opera Carmen at the Cliffs Pavilion on 20 February. This lavish new production with its fabulous costumes and set, is directed by award-winning opera director Ellen Kent, featuring handpicked international soloists and a live donkey. To enter simply send in your contact details to, Oracle/Carmen Competition, 39 Alexandra Street, Southend-on-Sea, Essex SS1 1BW or email info@oraclepublications.co.uk closing date 25th January 2013. Good Luck! Emma Wynne-Morgan Publisher

01702 393838

39 Alexandra Street, Southend, Essex SS1 1BW

www.oraclepublications.co.uk info@oraclepublications.co.uk

www.twitter.com/oracle_essex www.facebook.com/oraclepublications Printed by EVONPRINT, Small Dole, Sussex 01273 494631 JANUARY 2013

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contents Local Issues My Local Hero By Harry Adoo

9/10

Investment Management Money Matters by Jacqui Moyies

Baby Bump Beauty Hair & Beauty by Craig Smith

Hot Yoga By Tracey Bailey

Chickpea, Chorizo and Tomato Soup Judy's Recipe Page

Selling Potential 26 Under the Hammer by Trevor Cornforth Music for 2013 Oracle Music Box by Warren Higgins

Diary Dates

28 32 34

Useful Numbers Advertiser Index

Advertorials Oracle Website Solutions Cameo Boutique 4

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JANUARY 2013

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Advertorial

Is your business Mobile? S

ince the launch of Oracle over 7 ½ Below are just a few reasons why you need to be years ago it has had the pleasure of thinking about having your website converted working with well over 1000 clients locally and into a mobile phone website. knowing the success that many of them have People are spending more time on their had from running advertorials in the magazines, mobile phones than ever before. felt it was about time it used the service itself to launch Oracle’s newest product, Mobile Phone It is predicted that by 2014 mobile internet Websites. will take over desktop internet usage.

What’s a Mobile Phone Website?

One half of local searches are performed on I am sure that some of you will be asking the mobile devices. question what is a Mobile Website? Quite simply 86% of mobile internet users are using their it is a website used in conjunction with your mobile phone whilst watching the television. existing website but for a mobile phone or any other portable device.When browsing the World Women aged 35 – 54 are the most active Wide Web it can be extremely frustrating trying group in mobile socialization to read and navigate around a standard website which has been originally built for a standard On average Americans spend 2.7 hours computer screen. The Mobile Website allows per day socializing on their mobile device. users to navigate easily around a smaller and simpler version of the Mother site. These sites Source:- Mobile Marketing Analytics have the advantage of allowing the user to With the launch of 4G in this country allowing access the mobile friendly sites immediately faster and better internet connection, the while the thought is still fresh in their mind, and demand for immediate internet access from all allowing your business the opportunity to grab portable devices will increase, allowing more and that sale or purchase whilst it’s still hot! JANUARY 2013 LEIGH-ON-SEA ORACLE www.oraclepublications.co.uk 6

more people to browse the net via their mobile phone. Other countries whose 4G is already up and running have already seen a significant growth in mobile usage. According to estimates by The ITU (June 2012) there are 1.1 billion active mobile-broadband subscriptions in the world, that is 16 percent of the global population. Mobile-broadband subscriptions have grown 45 percent annually over the last four years and subscriptions outnumber fixed broadband subscriptions 2:1.

Natural Progression Judging by the above evidence and seeing how the mobile phone market is still growing at such a pace it isn’t difficult to see why so many businesses are now making their general websites mobile phone compatible. This next stage in the development of websites is a natural progression and those businesses who want to maintain a strong competitive edge will need to think seriously about updating their website to become mobile phone compatible in order to maintain their market share and be credible within this continually challenging technical climate. For the past two years Oracle Website Solutions has been offering its client’s a 4 page bespoke website from as little as £350 plus VAT which includes the domain name, email address set up

and an hour of tuition once the site is built to enable the client to upload images and change the content. Oracle believes that everybody should have ownership of their websites, unlike many other website providers, Oracle’s clients own their websites so there are no hidden ongoing costs.l

Oracle January 2013 Offer The new mobile website product, offers Oracle’s clients an opportunity to keep up with this high tech world with its ever changing technology. Oracle is offering all its readers the opportunity to purchase a Mobile Website at the introductory price of £200 plus VAT (normally £250 plus VAT), for an existing 4 page website conversion, this offer lasts for the month of January 2013. Please check Oracle’s mobile website via your portable handset for an example or please call for further information on 01702 393838.

OR ACLE publications (uk) ltd

01702 393838 www.oraclepublications.co.uk 39 Alexandra Street, Southend-on-Sea, Essex, SS1 1BW JANUARY 2013

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Local Issues

My Local Hero M

y brother Clarence Adoo was brought up by foster parents with myself and my two sisters. We spent most of our early days living in Richmond Avenue, Shoeburyness. Clarence went to Richmond Primary and then Shoeburyness High School. He always had a great love for music after learning to play the cornet (trumpet) with the Shoeburyness Salvation Army band from the age of six.

Today, despite his disability, Clarence has retained a role with the Northern Sinfonia as an Education Animator. He visits schools, colleges and adult groups in the north of England to lead music workshops or discussions on music and composers and has been selected on several occasions for the panel of BBC Young Musician of the Year. His charismatic personality and positive attitude have earned him opportunities to take part in television and radio programmes, where he is a strong Clarence or Claz as he is affectionately known, left advocate for disabled issues. School and worked in the insurance industry in London. The company relocated north, so he used Clarence was one of the founder members of the this opportunity to also follow his dream career as a recently formed British Paraorchestra, led by world professional trumpet player. famous conductor Charles Hazelwood. Their biggest concert to date was performing at the He studied at the Royal College of music and then Paralympics closing ceremony with Coldplay. They became a renowned freelance trumpet player. also made a Christmas single involving the Kaos During this time he worked in all forms of music, Choir for Deaf and Hearing children with the from pop and jazz, to classical. He worked with Cliff Paralympics GB team. Also, they were invited to play Richard, Courtney Pine, and the Jazz Warriors and their version of the National Anthem, by the Queen also in several West End shows. He freelanced for herself, following her 2012 Christmas speech to the many orchestras including The Scottish Opera, City country, a real honour. of London Sinfonietta and Symphony Orchestra. He toured Britain and Europe as a Soloist including a In recognition of his services to music and the way specially written solo performance at The Royal he has inspired people, Clarence was awarded the Albert Hall. MBE in the New Year’s Honours 2012. Clarence is a real inspiration to anybody who should have the Tragically, seventeen years ago he was travelling by pleasure of meeting him. He has a brilliant sense of car from Newcastle to London as a surprise to my humour and his interest and zest for life is truly Stag Party. He had an accident which left him remarkable and you can’t help but have real paralysed from the shoulders down and was in admiration for him. Music drive’s Clarence and his hospital for twelve months. DECEMBER

2012

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love of it enables him the escapism that he needs in order to live with this very difficult and challenging disability. The reason I wanted to write this article is that Clarence was not entitled to an insurance payment following his tragic car accident; this was because he had lost the use of his limbs rather than losing his limbs which the small print in the insurance stipulated. Consequently, a Trust Fund was set up to enable him to purchase specialist equipment necessary to retain an active and independent life. The running cost of Clarence’s care to enable him to teach and help other people with their music and their disabilities, over and above what Social Services contribute, is currently £70,000 per year. Thanks to the generosity of friends, work colleagues and organisations, Clarence is able to live in a specially adapted house in Newcastle. He uses a mouth-controlled computer for his work and travels across the UK and Europe helping with the design of disabled access for new buildings and has been heavily involved with the design of The Sage Concert Hall in Gateshead. Many people who have been touched by Clarence’s story, have organised various fundraising events and his Trust continues to encourage new initiatives. Fundraising events have included concerts, parachute jumps, dinner dances, coffee mornings and a DVD with world renowned musicians.

On behalf of my brother, I’m asking for people to help Clarence as he is in desperate need of a newer specially adapted disability van which is essential for him to be able to travel around the country and carry on his work, his present van is 14 years old! The cost of this is estimated at £40,000 and I am asking you to please help in any way you can whether it is to organise a fundraising event or simply make a donation, so that my brother is able to have a reliable disabled van to take him around the country and carry on with the work that he so loves.

By Harry Adoo

To make a donation please contact the following:The Clarence Adoo Trust c/o Nigel Hiscock 4 Doncella Close, Chafford Hundred Grays, Essex, RM 16 6HB Tel: 07973 142639

www.clarence.org.uk

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Advertorial

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Expert Eyes

Cameo takes the mainstage

Above all, the Cameo team are committed to ensuring their customers have a thoroughly enjoyable retail experience and that their ladies leave feeling they have the perfect outfit for every life occasion. Their expert eye will ensure that you look and feel your best.

January Sale

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Unique Boutique Cameo Boutique is situated in the main shopping area of Hadleigh. It is a charming independent boutique offering clothes and accessories that can’t be found on the high street. All the ranges are handpicked and chosen for their compatibility with each other, allowing many of the collections to be mixed and matched to create a unique offering. Each season,Trudy researches & travels the country to find the very best pieces from the labels she stocks and is proud to feature collections from John Charles, Gina Bacconi, Michaela Louisa, Aria, In Town, Emreco & Chianti.

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Money Matters

Investment Management â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Making The Right Choice

uccessful investment is critical to your future financial well-being, but it is a field which presents a unique problem; future performance is unpredictable. For whatever reason, there exists today an obsession with the short term and this manifests itself with investors buying the latest fashion, only then to be disappointed. What really matters to investors is the longer-term performance of their investments, rather than the outcome for any particular year because short-term results are illusory and have little or nothing to do with the preservation of wealth over the medium to long term. There are a number of ways to select an investment manager. Firstly, you can look at their past performance. Regrettably this in isolation is of little help - simply because the figures alone do not tell you whether the person who achieved that good result is still managing the assets. Furthermore, past performance figures should not be seen as an indication of future performance. In the investment industry it is commonplace for managers to move around and this has significant ramifications for investors because if they do find out that a star manager has left, they then have to decide what to do next. 14

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Having selected a manager to look after your portfolio or indeed a number of investment professionals to manage your assets collectively, you then have the task of monitoring their performance. Most of us do not have the necessary resources or probably the interest to do this in a thorough, meaningful way on a daily basis - preferring instead to review our investments once or maybe twice a year. The final, and often overlooked, aspect is the benefit of diversification, which is widely recognised as an effective way of reducing investment risk. Experience shows that too many investors are either not diversified or, in contrast, excessively diversified. So as a first step you need to reassure yourself that those who are entrusted with the day-to-day management of your money have been handpicked, have a good long term track record and are being independently monitored by other investment professionals.

by Jacqui Moyies

To receive a complimentary guide covering Wealth Management Retirement Planning or Inheritance Tax Planning, contact Jacqui on :

01702 589553 Jacqui.moyies@sjpp.co.uk or visit www.sjpp.co.uk/jacquimoyies

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Oracle Hair & Beauty

Baby Bump Beauty I

‘m sure I was not the only one raising a glass and shedding a tear at the news William and Kate are expecting a future heir to the throne. Over the next few months all eyes are going be on the Duchess of Cambridge to see how she deals with her pregnancy. Will she go the glamour route of fashion-forward women such as Victoria Beckham, who wore sky-high Louboutins when heavily pregnant? Or will she adopt the time-honored uniform of pregnant royals: loose fitting Laura Ashley prints and elasticated waists all designed to divert attention from the bump - and make you look HUGE?! These days, flounces and smocks are history. It is totally acceptable to wear a skin-tight dress at 9-months - even luxury brands have woken up to the fact that yes ... women do become pregnant! Yet Kate needs to walk a very fine line in order to look like a lady taking the role of a royal mum-to-be seriously, without taking maternity back to the bad old Victorian days of hide the bump.

actually growing more hair;you’re just losing it more slowly than normal. Generally around 80% of your hair is growing, with the remainder in a resting stage, which then naturally falls out - about 100 hairs a day. During pregnancy, higher levels of oestrogen prolong the growth phase,resulting in thicker tresses. After giving birth, your cycle goes back to its previous pattern,so you may notice more hair falling out.And the other hair raising fact is that your facial and body hair may also grow faster when you're pregnant, due to a boost in hormones called androgens. You can safely tweeze, wax or shave, but avoid chemicals which can be absorbed into the bloodstream. And all this unwanted hair should be gone 3-6 months after giving birth. However I have no doubt that Kate will breeze through her pregnancy in the only way she knows how:with superb style,poise and grace. Sponsored by

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Advertorial

What is Hot Yoga? H

ot Yoga is the hottest new fitness trend to sweep the country. It is, simply, classical Hatha Yoga postures performed in a heated studio. The idea behind the heat is to simulate the climate of India. Bikram Choudhury was the first yoga teacher in the west to suggest heating the studio to reap the benefits of working more deeply once the body is warm. The room temperature of Hot Yoga classes is about 42 degrees. By keeping the temperature this high, participants are sweating out toxins in their body. Your muscles will be warm and you will stretch further due to more flexibility - and much more safely than in a regular yoga class. Hot Yoga is dynamic, inspiring and challenging. It provides you with a full body workout from the inside out, engaging every cell, tissue, organ, muscle and ligament to improve both physical and mental strength. It balances stretching and flexibility while increasing heart rate to deliver a cardiovascular workout too. Graceful movements replace pounding flesh while increasing flexibility, suppleness and muscle tone.

Detoxification – Sweat and release the toxins in your body and benefit with visibly clearer skin. Sweating also stimulates your metabolism and immune system helping you to burn calories more efficiently and stay healthy. Joint lubrication and flexibility – The heat produces a fluid-like stretch allowing for greater range of movement in joints, muscles, ligaments and other supporting structures of the body. Mentally Stronger – Provides strengthening of willpower, self control and determination due to a challenging environment. Stress Relief – Hot Yoga relieves stress and anxiety, promoting a calmer peaceful mind with improved sleep patterns. Helps sporting and other injuries – Heat is healing so regular practice should alleviate stiffness and pain. It is proven to help those with osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis and back pain.

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recipe of the month 1 ½ tsp ground cumin ½ tsp smoked sweet paprika 2x400g cans chopped tomatoes 1 tbsp tomato puree 2x 410g cans chickpeas, drained and rinsed 600ml chicken or vegetable stock 100g piece chorizo diced Handful of fresh coriander leaves to serve

In the Kitchen with Judy Barden

Method: 1. Heat the olive oil in a large pan and fry

the onions over a low to medium heat for 6-8 mins until just soft. Add the garlic, chilli, cumin and paprika and cook stirring for 1 minute until all the aromas are released and fragrant. Stir in the tomatoes, tomato puree, chickpeas and stock, cover and bring to the boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 25 mins. Leave to cool slightly. 2. Transfer half the soup to a processor or a

Chickpea, Chorizo and Tomato Soup

his is a lovely bowl of warm winter comfort soup. It is fairly low in calories and can be easily turned into a vegetarian soup by using vegetable stock and leaving out the chorizo. The chilli gives it a little kick but you can leave this out if you don’t like spice. Make up a big batch and freeze some for those wintery days. Enjoy!

jug if using a hand-held blender and whizz until smooth. Return to the pan with the remaining soup and simmer over a medium heat. Taste for seasoning with salt pepper and a pinch of sugar. 3. Fry the chorizo for 3-4 minutes until crisp. 4. Ladle the soup into bowls, scatter with the chorizo and chopped coriander Next month’s recipe:

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Chickpea, Chorizo and Tomato Soup Serves 4-6 Ingredients: 1 tbsp olive oil 1 large onions, finely chopped 2 garlic cloves crushed ½ green chilli, seeded and finely chopped

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Cloudy2Clear Windows – Service With A Smile! It’s been a crazy few months for Cloudy2Clear Windows. The company which specialises in repairing windows which are steamed up, broken or damaged by replacing the panes – not the frames has grown rapidly as homeowners take advantage of their services. Managing Director Chris Miller feels that it’s all about service. ‘Our product is simple. If your double glazing is misted up we can replace the glass at a fraction of the cost of a new window, in any type of frame, and with a new 5 year guarantee. But it’s not just about saving people money, although

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currently a very strong market for anything military, whether it be medals, weapons or memorabilia and a package of the whole group together with information about the original owner can make all the difference.

Under The Hammer

Dont miss your chance Lots of people used to have cabinets full of Doulton, Moorcroft, Clarice Cliff and so on but have relegated it all to boxes in order to de-clutter or after moving home. Whilst many of these things are less in fashion than they used to be they are still sought after in other parts of the world so are an asset that is easily cashed in via an auction. Many people think that by keeping them they may go back up in value but with changing taste they are probably not worth storing with that in mind so cash now is better than possible cash later.

Selling Potential A

New Year starts for most people with a New Year’s resolution. Get fit, quit smoking, clear out the attic or raise some cash from unwanted items. Well we can’t help with the first two but if you are heading in the direction of the third or fourth ideas then the chances are you might need some advice. Unwanted collections, inherited junk, family treasures, all of these have the potential to net a few unexpected pounds in the pocket rather than on the waist. Sadly some people do think their geese are swans and expect more than the market will pay for things but many are pleasantly surprised or even shocked when what has remained hidden for years pays for a holiday.

These days there are alternatives to an auction in ebay, bootsales and so on but they come without advice, a lot more work and less chance of the right price at the end. For ebay the commission also works out higher so a local auction with a worldwide reputation and audience is pretty much un-beatable.

By Trevor Cornforth Sponsored by

Memorabilia makes Money The current market is very fickle so many of the “family heirlooms” no longer carry any value at all but others are hidden gems just waiting for the world wide auction market. Jewellery is always a good start and usually nets a lot more in an auction than the basic scrap price paid by most local buyers. Following on from that there is

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Diary Dates CARMEN 20th February Cliffs Pavilion AWARD-WINNING opera producer Ellen Kent’s production of opera Carmen brings a kaleidoscope of colour to the stage with magnificent sets, luxurious costumes and heavenly singing – a guaranteed great night out. 01702 351135 www.southendtheatres.org.uk SIBERIAN BALLET 21st - 22nd January Cliffs Pavilion Following a sensational tour in 2012, The Russian State Ballet and Orchestra of Siberia return to Southend to perform Tchaikovsky’s Swan Lake and The Nutcracker. 01702 351 135 www.thecliffspavilion.co.uk www.oraclepublications.co.uk www.twitter.com/oracle_essex

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Oracle Music Box HAIM http://haimtheband.com

Haim have already experienced an explosive introduction to the UK this year. Following the positive whispers that heralded their spate of performances at SXSW back in March, sold-out debut shows in London, a debut UK headline tour & recent support dates for Florence & The Machine – Haim have have quickly confirmed that they are one of the most exciting young bands in the world today.

New Music for 2013 By Warren Higgins

ow that Christmas is over, and the celebrations are calming down, here are my recommendations for 2013...

BASTILLE http://www.bastillebastille.com

The “three sisters and a mister” consists of three San Fernando Valley sisters Danielle, Alana, and Este Haim, and unrelated ‘mister’, drummer Dash Hutton. The sisters grew up playing classic rock songs with their parents in a family band called ‘Rockinhaim’, and having struck out on their own, the acclaim has spread quickly. Their EP ‘Don’t Save Me’ it out now through National Anthem/Polydor Records. Radio 1’s Fearne Cotton has already awarded them her record of the week and having just been announced as part of the BBC Sound of 2013 Long List – 2013 is set to be the year of the sisters.

Bastille is the musical guise of singer/songwriter and producer Dan Smith; a vehicle for his different musical worlds - full of songs with danceable rhythms and beautiful soaring vocals encased in harmonies. A busy summer saw the band play over 30 festivals, which culminated in a storming, tent-packed set at Reading. Bastille have already sold out two headline tours including a date at London’s KOKO – a great feat having only released a couple of singles, and set to release a debut album March 2013. With the band receiving great support across Radio 1 where they have been championed by Huw Stephens and Greg James, Bastille are destined for huge things in 2013. Supporting Two Door Cinema Club 24th January-7th February 2013 Headline Tour 28th February-28th March 2013 Album 'Bad Blood' - 4th March 2013

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HEAVENS BASEMENT http://heavensbasement.com

Heavens Basement are certainly making a name in the Rock’n’Roll scene. Their hard metal sound has led them to tour with acts such as Papa Roach, Bon Jovi and Buckcherry. The band’s mission is to make Rock’n’Roll modern and relevant by creating great music and playing energetic live sets. Guitarist Sid Glover stated that as a band they are determined to make audiences say - “I haven’t heard an album that’s made me feel this pumped up in ages, I haven’t seen a band with this much energy”. Their debut album ‘Filthy Empire’ being released via Red Bull Records is released on the 4th February 2013.

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24 hour Emergency Number Leigh Police Station (Mon-Fri 9-7pm) Southend Police Station (24 hours) Marine Police 01268 Thames Coastguard

01702 430696 431212 0300 3334444 775533 01255 675518

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COUNCIL & SERVICES Leigh-on-Sea Town Council Southend Council Civic Centre Council Tax & Benefits Environment and domestic Council Waste Department Jobcentre Southend

716288 215000 215001 215005 215006 575700

HOSPITALS & HEALTH BMI Southend Private Hospital Primary Care Trust Southend General Hospital Spire Wellesley Hospital NHS Direct

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January 2013

Oracle Competition

WIN! Two FREE tickets to see Carman at Cliffs Pavilion

WIN! Two FREE sessions of Refelxology with Cara Dee worth £60

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