Oracle May 2024

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

LOCAL ISSUES

The Puzzling Saga of Southend's Refuse Collection

GARDENING Hints and ideas for your Garden

WELCOME

As May blossoms, we find ourselves amidst a flurry of local happenings and concerns. Josie Hewitt's poignant article on the confusion surrounding refuse collection echoes the sentiments of many. It's a call for clarity and efficiency from our council.

James Miller, leader of the Confelicity Party, also raises vital concerns about our growing population's strain on infrastructure, and the subsequent surge in house prices and rents. These issues demand attention and action from our community leaders

Amidst these pressing matters, we're excited to introduce a new garden feature from Morleys Nursery. Find tips to spruce up your green spaces and get your garden summer ready.

Stay tuned for more insights, stories, and updates in this month's issue.

Don't miss out on May's competition! Win a £100 voucher to spend at Morleys Nursery, perfect for any gardening enthusiast this time of year. Explore their full range of products at www.morleynurseries.com

To enter the Oracle/Morleys competition please visit: www.oraclepublications.co.uk page, competition ends 31 May 2024.

Good luck!

Emma Wynne-Morgan Publisher

RayBan & Kate Spade

& PROPERTY MAINTENANCE

•DOORS SUPPLIED & FITTED/ ADJUSTED•SKIRTINGS & ARCHITRAVES INSTALLED•KITCHENS FITTED WARDROBES/STORAGE BUILT TO YOUR SPECIFICATIONS•DECKING•FASCIAS

RECLAIM YOUR CONSERVATORY THIS YEAR!!

If your conservatory is too hot in the summer and too cold in the winter, then read on...

REMEMBER the pleasure of owning your brand-new conservatory, having that extra space you had longed for and dreamed of relaxing in the evening, as the sun went down...

Those dreams have soon evaporated as the sun’s heat made the space too uncomfortable to sit in, with worse to come as winter approached.

Noise of rain hitting the roof means you can hardly hear yourself speak and your conservatory becomes cold, damp and unhabitable.

It is a common fact that most conservatories remain unused for up to six months of the year.

Greenoak Concept & Design’s Supalite Roof System is the answer, by transforming your conservatory into a space you can use all year round at a price you can afford. Our chosen system can be installed in just a few days.

When finished, your conservatory will be cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter, making it always accommodating.

Supalite by Greenoak Concept & Design is an established brand and

is a proven solution for changing your existing conservatory roof into a light weight insulated tiled conservatory roof.

Supalite roofs are installed and guaranteed by Greenoak Concept & Design overseen by full Building Control by your Local Council and Jhai.

Greenoaks chosen system has been designed to fit onto your existing window and door frames and already has over 2000 installations in place throughout the Country.

You can get yourself prepared for the seasons that follow. With a choice of Victorian, Edwardian, lean to, Gable End or Bespoke Designs in a selection of tile and slate colours, matching fascia, soffits and internal finishes, a Greenoak Concept & Design installation will allow you fall in love with your conservatory once again.

Every Greenoak Concept & Design installation comes with a fully transferable Insurance Backed Guarantee, Building Control and Part ‘P’ certificates.

Another example of Supalite by Greenoak

Before the work

Its all Rubbish!

The Puzzling Saga of Southend's Refuse Collection and the Quest for Clarity

This is not the most exciting subject, but an important one for all Southend residents: 'Refuse Collection'. 'Whoopee,' I hear you cry.

Now, if you, like me, have someone in your household who reads our local Echo, you might have heard about our city's refuse contract ending in 2023 and the delays and peculiar decisions being made by Southend Council. Our council has had to fund additional expenses to keep Veolia on until 2025, as no final decisions were able to be agreed upon... Shocking, I know!

Resident Investigates

Now, I must have been bored one morning and decided to trawl through the council's minutes on their website to try and establish when and what had been decided about a new refuse contractor for our city and the impact. I was concerned that bi-weekly collections and wheelie bins may be introduced - as all will agree, many areas of our borough are HMOs/flats/ terraced houses with no area to place or store wheelie bins. Of course, some parts of the borough do have space, but not all do.

My real frustration is that the council started the review process in 2018 (yes, 2018) when they knew that

the Veolia contract was to expire in 2024 (as mentioned, now extended until 2025). I contacted the council in February to establish what had been agreed and if residents had been consulted and why so long for decisions to be made and why Veolia was not reinstated.

Unanswered Questions!

Sadly, no questions were answered. I requested in February 2024: (i) Has a new contractor been appointed? No response. (ii) What terms of service have been agreed? No response. (iii) Has there been public consultation? No response. (I located in the labyrinth of minutes in April 2023 that public consultation was ruled out as this would be a hindrance - yes, you read correctly, a hindrance).

Another finding in the vault of minutes - April 2023 at the Cabinet meeting, it was acknowledged that the new contract was more expensive than the original contract! How can this be acceptable when the council is already in serious debt, more taxpayers' money wasted? Why, at no point, did the council acknowledge their mistakes and re-engage with Veolia?

LOCAL ISSUES

I contacted the council again in April 2024, and none of my questions were answered. The main question being: what has been decided, who has been appointed, why the delays, and how different wards have different space requirements/ restrictions to be managed.

Elusive Answers

So, if you haven't fallen asleep yet or let the dog out at this point, it appears that as of April when the councillor was asked straightforward questions of what service has been agreed, the response was 'Final details have not yet been agreed,' and a 'detailed assessment of roads and properties will be completed to determine suitability for bags or bins.' Surely, an assessment must have been completed prior to a new contractor being appointed? No response. As to if collections will change to bi-weekly, again they would not commit, but mentioned environmental issues and that other boroughs have introduced bi-weekly and that fly-tipping reduces.

Service Stalemate

This critical refuse service replacement has been under review since 2018 - 6 years of debating and arguing and posturing (it doesn't matter what party you believe in, they have all meddled and not come together for the best solution for Southend). There are important environmental issues that need to be addressed, but unfortunately, Southend needs the best refuse collection solution to try and keep the city sanitized/litter-free and without numerous wheelie bins littering our highly densely populated central wards.

Take Action:

I urge all who care, to contact your local councillor to request details of who the new provider is, what service your ward will receive bi-weekly/bins/sacks?

Why was Veolia not reinstated?

Costs incurred to date, and why a 6-year delay for a major contractor appointment?

It will only take 10 minutes of your time.

Call for Accountability

I'll now get off my soapbox, and I hope after 6 years and needless additional costs, our councillors will make the right decisions for our city and keep Southend at the heart of the decision-making and not themselves.

By Josie Hewitt Local Resident

Chalkwell Grange has everything that you or a loved one needs from a care home setting. Our vibrant community provides a homely atmosphere with an experienced Wellbeing team who organise and encourage social interaction with a range of activities, as well as offering residents the chance to explore the community with it’s regular minibus service. Our experienced, friendly team are here to help you. This is a place you can call home.

RESIDENTIAL CARE | DEMENTIA CARE

SHORT STAY CARE

How a strategic advisor can

Boost and Improve Your Business Performance

As business leaders contend with many external factors and operational challenges, they may not always be able to focus on strategy.

This is where a strategic advisor can help, identifying key areas for development, collaborating on problem solving and identifying the best solutions.

Our Azets Boost facilitators, help you find the solutions to your business challenges, and fulfil your strategic objectives. You know your business, and your industry best, but our advisors help channel that wealth of knowledge into action.

We have highlighted some simple, but powerful, tools that can be used to help you achieve your ambitions:

Now-Where-How

This tool forces you to think about where you are NOW and WHERE you want to be, before then analysing HOW to get there.

A common pitfall of the NOW analysis, is to start fixing things straight away. This approach often results in dealing with symptoms rather than root causes. The WHERE analysis, is often much harder to do. However, using a more thorough process will identify what is truly important.

Once you have clarity, we can move onto the HOW, and start turning strategy into action.

Force Field

A Force Field analysis is used to drive strategies into action, by discovering how to double the impact of positive forces, and halve impact of negative forces.

Change will not occur when both positive and negative forces are equal, or where the negative force outweighs the positive force. For change to occur, the positive forces must overpower the negative.

Mind mapping

Mind mapping is one of the simplest, yet most powerful tools to problem solve. It’s designed to help organise your ideas by capturing the natural flow of your thoughts.

At Azets, our Azets Boost advisors understand that no two businesses are the same. Solutions are tailored to you and your business, using our experience, tools and techniques. We help you track your business KPIs to measure progress.

Our Azets Boost advisors can facilitate you achieving your strategic ambitions; supporting business leaders to identify key areas for development, and solutions. We want to be your partners in success, and boost your business performance.

Southend is FULL

We do not have the physical space nor the infrastructure to take too much more!!

As a Director of a family business, I am in favour of as many chimney pots as you can get, but as a resident, it’s not working.

Our infrastructure is overwhelmed and overused and our green spaces are being stolen in front of our eyes. According to the ONS, the population has increased by 4.1%, from around 173,700 in 2011 to 180,700 in 2021 - but anyone who lives here will feel this without any stats. Worryingly, national housing targets may soon be reinstated by a Labour government, as has been reported in the Guardian, and that could see the restoration of the previous 20,000 homes target set for Southend.

No Regard for Residents

These decisions are being made by people unlikely to have ever been here, and are being taken without genuine regard for the living standards of residents or the environment. This is not a slight to anyone who has moved to Southend in recent yearswhether British or foreign. But it is to say that Southend, specifically, can no longer cope.

I do not want us to become a city of

concrete and high-rise flats, and yet we are in a position where Southend residents, many of whom have lived here all their lives, struggle to afford to rent, much less buy a suitable property. And that doesn’t even begin to address issues surrounding homelessness. When new housing goes up, it is not alleviating those 1500 people on the housing waiting list, nor those who want to move out of the family home. Instead, these developments are being approved often without ample provision for parking or affordable housing, and with very little consideration of the necessary improvements in public services and infrastructure - only serving to increase the population further. This is not a slight on developers. I am sure, if informed, they would happily build elsewhere.

Addressing Misconceptions

The discussion of population increases could easily be construed as politically populist. However, I believe this argument must not be sullied by any anti-immigration or anti-multiculturalism sentiment. Yes, there are plenty of contentious issues that need to be resolved in these areas, but this serves only to distract from the simple premise that ultimately Southend is a city full.

No doubt there will be a scroll of laws that might block a determined local revolt to say no more! But from here, it is just raising the issue and finding out if there are any other Southend residents who feel the same."

By James Miller

Southend’s Voluntary Sector Supported with FREE training

SAVS reflects on successful training opportunities provided to Southend’s Voluntary Sector

As a Council for Voluntary Services, SAVS role is to support, promote and represent voluntary, community, faith and social enterprise organisations (VCFSE) in Southend. With over 450 members, SAVS provide a range of services to enable this support including free training courses and workshops provided both online and in-person. The programme of training and events aims to help develop skills, build resilience and empower organisations to be the best they can be.

Empowering Voluntary Sector

Since 2023, SAVS have provided approximately 70 training events to attendees working or volunteering in the local voluntary sector. Courses have included a beginner’s guide to fundraising, active bystander training, safeguarding training and an overview of the disclosure and barring service. Most recently, SAVS have celebrated the completion of their first series of digital ‘lunchinars’.

Leading Sector Advancement

Roger Savage, Deputy CEO at SAVS said, “Moving forward, SAVS is dedicated to continue delivering a rich, accessible, high quality and free programme of training and events for the VCFSE sector in Southend. We will continue to engage and adapt based on what we hear from, and develop with, the sector. We will also continue to innovate our offer, like our recently launched ‘Lunchinars Lunch Time Learning’ offer, to not only provide relevant and modern development opportunities, but to deliver them in a way that reaches as many people in our community as possible.”

For the latest training opportunities from SAVS, visit www.savs-southend.org.uk

SAVS Staff Group Photo

Cloudy2Clear, A Local Service, Saving You

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

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

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

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

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

Janet Beard

28 Prolific Offenders Prosecuted Following City Centre Crime

CRACKDOWN

An operation targeting prolific offenders in Southend city centre has led to 28 people being charged with more than 300 offences.

Operation Raker was launched in September 2023 after research showed a significant proportion of crimes in retail premises - such as thefts and assaults - were being committed by repeat offenders.

Collaborative Efforts

Two officers from Southend Town Centre Team have been working with the council’s community safety officers, BID (Business Improvement District) rangers and retailers for the last seven months to identify and arrest individuals and prevent their offending from escalating.

This had led to 13 people being sentenced to a total of more than seven years in prison, twelve criminal behaviour orders (CBOs) being issued, and the award of more than £13,000 in compensation. Eight other offenders have been remanded in prison or are on bail pending sentencing.

Sergeant Steve Wells of Southend Town Centre Team said: “By targeting repeat offenders we are making the centre of Southend a safer place to work and shop. “The individuals who are committing offences like theft, robbery, burglary and anti-social behaviour are being dealt with quicker, and they’re committing fewer crimes than they were previously. This reduces the numbers of victims and retailers that are exposed to harm or loss.

Fostering Partnerships

“The local partnerships we’ve built are the key to the operation. The sharing of knowledge and information has become seamless. Preventing this type of offending is a priority for us as it has such a detrimental effect on businesses and the community. “The ultimate goal is for people to see and experience less crime, and the positive feedback we are getting from victims, businesses, the public and our partners is what we measure ourselves on.”

Scott Dolling, manager of Southend BID said: “The operation's strategic role seems to have paid dividends on some repeat issues we experience in the high street environment. This coordinated approach is one we wholeheartedly support and hope will continue into the future.”

Manager Praises Officers

The manager of a service station that had been targeted added: “We’d be lost without them (the Raker officers). I can’t praise them enough. It can be so frustrating to have these people keep stealing from our shop, but Essex Police come in so regularly, they take our reports and are so quick to catch them.”

Sergeant Steve Wells

Why do you need Lasting Power of Attorney?

Loss of mobility or mental capacity can make it difficult to manage your affairs.

What if I am unable to manage my affairs?

There may come a time in your life when you are unable to manage your financial affairs or personal welfare, owing to some form of incapacity and you will need someone to act on your behalf. Even when we are young, we can find ourselves incapacitated owing to illness or injury and it can be invaluable having a reliable person, who is able to manage your personal affairs and remove the anxiety of having unpaid bills, at a time when you most need peace of mind. Similarly, as we get older, the need for an attorney increases as we are more prone to illness and injuries.

Don’t leave it too late!

Instead of preparing while we are physically and mentally fit enough, many of us choose to put off dealing with such unwanted eventualities until the inevitable happens and by then it’s too late.

Who can I rely on for sound advice?

When estate planning, it is important that you can rely on the adviser. CWSE offers a friendly and professional service, including Wills, LPAs, Trusts and Probate. We offer the best possible advice at the time you need it most. We can arrange an informal chat or meeting via zoom/skype at our offices or in the comfort of your own home. Please feel free to contact me on 01702 393838.

crowe@countrywide-se.com

What kind of LPA do I need?

There are two types of LPA:

1. Property and Financial LPA - This type gives your attorney the authority to deal with your property, your bills, bank account and investments. This can be used while someone is still capable but has chosen to delegate to their attorney.

2. Personal Welfare LPA - This can only be used when you have lost capacity and are unable to make decisions for yourself. It gives someone you trust authority to make decisions about where you should live and what medical treatment you should receive.

by Clive Rowe, in association with Countrywide SE LLP

We’re proud to support Foster Care Fortnight 2024!

By the fostering team at Southend-on-Sea City Council

Southend-on-Sea City Council’s fostering team and foster carers are appealing to anyone who has ever considered fostering, and lives in and around our city, to join their friendly and supportive fostering community to help keep vulnerable children and young people close to familiar surroundings.

Their appeal is part of this year’s Foster Care Fortnight campaign, which is organized by the UK’s leading fostering charity, The Fostering Network, and takes place from Monday 13 to Sunday 26 May.

As part of this year’s campaign, council foster carers share their #FosteringMoments to celebrate how they have helped the children they care for feel confident and safe enough to create special and lasting memories.

As there is both a local and national shortage of foster carers, the campaign aims to encourage more people to come forward to care for local children.

Fulfilling Moments

Debbie wasn’t sure she could foster as a single parent, but she has been a foster carer with the council for over nine years now and has found it extremely fulfilling to help the children she has cared for feel safe enough to enjoy their childhood. Debbie has so many special moments but shared one that still makes her smile today: "One of the children I care for was quiet initially, but seeing his confidence grow

so much he felt safe enough to stand in the middle of my lounge and sing his favorite song out loud is a moment I will never forget."

Growing Family Bonds

Tina was initially encouraged to foster by her children and regrets not fostering years ago as she finds it so rewarding. Tina and her children love that their family just keeps getting bigger and reflected on a time of year that she enjoys now more than ever: "I’m always so touched to hear that the children I’ve cared for over the years love to come back and join us at Christmas time. They are part of our family and to all spend time together is truly magical."

If you have space in your heart and home and think you could foster, please get in touch with the council’s fostering team. To find out more visit: southendfostering.co.uk.

Alternatively, to speak to one of the team, call 01702 212938 or email fostering@southend.gov.uk

Council foster carers left to right: Stella, Jo, Graham, Debbie and Tina

Caring for Your Smile

With a dedicated team of experienced professionals and a wide array of services, we provide comprehensive dental care that exceeds your expectations.

Royal Mews Dental Practice opened in 2006 when our practice in Westcliff ran out of space

I nitially attracted by the beautiful Victorian building and its central location, the ground floor was converted to accommodate two surgeries for a hygienist, a dentist, and a waiting room, retaining the building’s period features. We applied for an NHS contract, but we were turned down by the Department of Health, and consequently, the practice has been private from the beginning.

Service and integrity

A few years later, we added a third surgery upstairs, and then at the end of 2023, we opened a fourth surgery. We have been able to recruit an excellent team comprising six dentists, four hygienists, and supporting nurses, receptionists, and administrative staff. We aim to build long-lasting relationships, providing professional, honest advice and high-quality dental care at realistic prices. We really care about oral health and the importance of preventing tooth decay and gum disease through our range of preventative treatments.

Dr. Adam Carstairs has his own website: adamthedentist.co.uk. Visit the website to explore the services offered, including before and after photos.

New to our team

We're delighted to welcome Dr. Rathnaa to our team. Previously at Westcliff Dental Practice, she brings valuable expertise. Learn more about her at rathnaadentistryaesthetics.co.uk.

We provide a comprehensive range of care, advice, and treatments, some of which you may not have associated with a dental practice, including:

• General dental care and advice, including fillings, extractions, root canal treatment, dentures, crowns, veneers, and bridges

• Hygienist services, including airflow polishing

• Cosmetic bonding

• Teeth whitening

• Smile makeovers

• Periodontal treatment

• Invisalign

• Facial aesthetics, including Botox and dermal fillers

• Platelet-rich plasma therapyw

• Microneedling

• Emergency appointments

Offers for New Patients

Because of our recent expansion we are keen to attract new patients. For a limited period we are offering HALF PRICE new patient consultations, including x rays and FREE Invisalign consultations.

Book an appointment via our website www.royalmewsdentalpractice.co.uk or ring reception on 01702 352450

We are looking forward to welcoming you to our practice.

Hints and ideas for your Garden in May

In the Glasshouse

Plant tomatoes, peppers, and chillies as long as you have a minimum temperature of 10ºC (50ºF). For cucumbers and melons, ensure the temperature does not drop below 12–15°C (53–59°F) at night.

On the Plot

Don’t Forget

HedgehogAwarenessWeek: 5th - 11th May!

WorldBeeDay: 20th May

NationalChildrenGardeningWeek: 25th - 2nd June! *

in the sun. Plant container-grown trees, shrubs, perennials, and roses. Weed and feed your lawn, ensuring you water it in well to avoid scorching

By the Pond

Harden off tender plants by placing them outside during the day and bringing them indoors if there is a chance of frost

Mulch strawberries to lift the fruit from the ground. It's an ideal time to plant blueberries. Use a proprietary ericaceous compost.

Plant out young brussel sprouts, cabbages, and lettuce. Sow sweetcorn, radish, peas, runner beans, onions, spinach, and salad leaves. Fend off those pesky pigeons with netting and install plenty of slug and snail traps.

Down the garden

Plant summer bedding plants, taking care to protect them from frost. Don’t hang out your hanging baskets until they are well established, and don’t forget to take them down and protect them in high winds. It's the

Now is a good time to restock the aquatic plants in and around your pond. It's also a good time to replace your UV bulb to ensure your pond stays nice and clear.

About the House

Start to feed and water houseplants more regularly.

Check your houseplants for woolly aphids and scale insects.

Pick of the month

Tree: Acers

Shrubs: Azaleas & Roses

Climbers: Clematis

Perennial: Alstroemeria

Aquatics: Water Lillies

Fruit & Veg: Strawberries & Tomatoes

Follow morleynurseries.com for ideas on how to encourage your children to enjoy gardening and Much Much More *

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Asking directly about suicidal thoughts can help save lives

By Ann Hawkins Branch Director at Southend Samaritans

With the cost of living rising sharply in recent years, people may find themselves or their loved ones feeling more worried or anxious. As a leading suicide prevention charity, we are working to reduce the stigma around suicide and urging people to look out for each other.

Breaking the Stigma

Evidence shows that asking someone if they’re suicidal doesn’t make things worse; in fact, it can protect people by providing a crucial opportunity to open up, express their feelings, and seek help.

Offering Support

Life for many people is tough right now, and no one should feel ashamed about sharing what’s challenging them or feel like there’s no one they can turn to. It’s crucial that we all look out for each other and ask anyone you’re concerned about direct questions to allow them the time and

space to express what they’re really going through. This could help save someone you love.

Suicide can be preventable, and everyone has an important role to play.If someone is feeling suicidal, they might be distant, distracted, or feel disconnected. Asking someone directly if they’re having suicidal thoughts can give them the chance to tell you how they feel.

Supporting with Compassion

We’re encouraging people not to be afraid to talk about suicidal thoughts and feelings if they are worried about someone. If you need emotional support, you can reach out to our service using our free telephone number: 116 123, or email us at jo@samaritans.org.

You don’t have to be an expert; just being there to listen and showing you care can help. Letting them know they’re not a burden and there’s always someone they can turn to.

For more information on our branch, visit: samaritans.org/southendonsea You can also see our latest branch news on twitter: @southendsams

If you prefer writing, you can send your letter to: Freepost SAMARITANS LETTERS Provide as much detail as you can, and you’ll receive a handwritten letter in response.

Ann Hawkins, Branch Director at Southend Samaritans

Celebrating

the 1200th Anniversary of the South Church

By Alan Willis Holy Trinity Church

The earliest written record of Southchurch states that in the year 824 a Saxon thegn named Leofstan presented Sudcerca (Southchurch) to the monks of Canterbury.

So, this year we’re celebrating the 1200th anniversary of Holy Trinity Southchurch, and the 1200th anniversary of Southchurch itself.

The History of Southchurch

Back in 824 Southchurch was a combination of fetid swamp and dense woods. Few people lived there. The Domesday Book of 1086 records Southchurch as comprising just “4 hides, 14 villeins (tenant farmers) and 5 borders (a person ranking below villein and above serf), 1 serf, 8 ploughs, pasture for 200 sheep, woodland for 40 swine, 2 fisheries, 4 rounceys (a type of horse), 8 beasts, 13 swine, 150 sheep and 8 goats.” My, how Southchurch has changed!

Story of Southchurch

To celebrate our anniversary we’re telling the story of Southchurch on our website, holytrinitysouthchurch.org, look under: About Us > A Little History of Southchurch.

Celebration Weekend!

We’re hosting a flower festival and family fun day: Flower Festival (25th – 27th May) in church: See the historic church interior festooned in flowers (Sat 10am – 4pm, Sun 11am – 4pm, Mon 10am – 4pm)

Family Fun Day (26th May) in the Church Hall Garden: Free BBQ, free bouncy castle, craft and more (Sunday 12:00 – 16:00)

Holy Trinity Church, Southchurch Boulevard, SS2 4XA ALL ARE WELCOME

It’s a fascinating story that takes us through:

1150 to 1309: the de Southchurch family, whose exploits included a plot to burn down London using incendiary chickens.

1700: Southchurch’s elevation from a rural backwater to a thriving suburb – thanks to the humble oyster.

1801: the visit of Princess Charlotte to Southend, when she stayed at Southchurch Lawn (now Alleyn Court school).

1900: Southchurch is swallowed-up by Southend Borough because they wanted to use the foreshore for a sewer outfall.

1910: the first trams, running from the Kursaal to Southchurch Road, and from Southchurch church to Leigh Church.

1932: arrival of the railway, turning Southchurch into a thriving community.

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Brain Working Recursive Therapy

What is Brain Working Recursive Therapy (BWRT)?

BWRT is a modern Psychotherapy that works with a different part of the brain than other therapies. It works directly with the oldest part of the brain the Reptilian Complex and the oldest physical reaction to fear, the Fight, Flight and Freeze response.

Instinctive reaction to Fears

When a fear is created due to our response to something we feel is a threat to well being our body automatically goes into the Fight, Flight and Freeze response. This causes many of the normal functions of the body to stop working whilst all energy is sent to the muscles, to make us strong, to run away from fear, stand and fight or we become so overwhelmed by the fear that we just freeze and this all happens instinctively and we do not have control over our response.

How Does BWRT Work?

I work with my clients’ and facilitate the natural occurring induced Freeze response, synthetically to neutralise the negative fear response without trauma or reactive response. This method is fast and very effective.

BWRT Levels 1,2 & 3

I am an advanced level 3, therapist and accept work with the following issues have successfully worked using BWRT for over 8 years.

Level 1, issues, all types of fears, anxieties, stress, trauma, grieving, self limiting beliefs, negative emotions, anger, hurt, resentment, guilt, sadness, disgust, hate, jealousy. Habits.

Level 2, is inner core work, self limiting beliefs ie, self confidence, self esteem, not feeling good enough, procrastination stop smoking,

Level 3, is working with the mind to help reduce physical symptoms of auto immune conditions.

If I can help with any of the above conditions please contact me on 07717856999

I am able to do consultations via Face Time, Skype or Zoom

Transform Your Home with Timeless Elegance

Michelle Elliott-Britto Interiors

is an established Essex based home furnishing company that has roots spanning 20 years in soft furnishings, window dressings, upholstery and interiors, providing beautiful made to measure sofas, chairs, blinds and curtains, along with accessories, including cushions, headboards, poles, tieback and much more.

Bespoke Service

Michelle Elliott-Britto Interiors, offer a full bespoke service, starting with a home consultation and no obligation measure, to a profession fitting service. Whatever you budget may be, Michelle will be able to advise you on the best products to suit your home, ensuring individual results for each one of our projects. We have a vast library of fabrics for you to select from.

Our clients speak highly of us:

" Michelle is an absolute pleasure to work with "

Tailored Elegance

" saved us hours trawling through design books " " Very happy with our reupholstered sofa "

We are inspired by working closely with our clients, to develop requirements that remain sympathetic to their taste, and we pride ourselves on our hand sewn curtains and blinds, however machine sewn curtains can be provided to fit tighter budgets. Along with our ability to solve all your sofa and chair requirements from completely oneoff bespoke designs to re-upholstery and re-styling of your existing sofas and chairs.

Our goal is to create a space that you will love for years to come , and make your home furnishings as unique as you.

A gallery of work can be found on their website mebinteriors.co.uk Or call Michelle on 07881813111

Pan Fried Salmon with Baby Gem & Peas

Asimple healthy supper that you can make in 20 minutes. It is a recipe I pulled out of Good food and its delicious and quick. You just need 2 frying pans. I usually add some new potatoes if I want to make it a little more substantial but leave off if you are being good. Enjoy!

by Judy Barden

Next month’s recipe: 'Bucatini with Sausage and Porcini'

INGREDIENTS (Serves 4)

2 tsp olive oil

4 little gem lettuces, halved lengthways

200ml vegetable stock

4 x 130g salmon fillets

200g frozen petit pois, defrosted

½ small bunch dill

1-2 tbsp crème fraiche

1-2 tsp Dijon mustard

Heat 1 tsp of the oil in a large lidded skillet or frying pan over a medium heat. Add the lettuce halves, cut side down and fry for 2 minutes until beginning to brown. Pour in the stock and cover and cook for 5 minutes. Then add the peas and dill for a further 2 minutes.

Meanwhile, season the salmon with salt and pepper all over. Heat the remaining tsp oil in a second frying pan over a medium heat and fry the salmon skin side down for 3 minutes. Carefully flip and cook for 3 minutes more until just cooked through.

Arrange the salmon fillets and lettuce halves on warm plates. Stir the crème fraiche and mustard into the lettuce pan and warm through. Divide the peas and sauce between the plates. Garnish with a little more dill and serve.

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