Oracle on sea nov 2014 web

Oracle-on-Sea

November 2014

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

Oracle Competition WIN! A meal for two at Oracle’s Question Night with guest speaker Cllr Ron Woodley

Local Issues

About the Keyhole Cancer Appeal

Council News Growing and supporting local businesses

Hair & Beauty How to sparkle on Bonfire Night

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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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Publisher’s letter

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s a small thank you to all Oracle readers for their loyal readership over the past 9 years, I have decided that Oracle will donate this month’s competition and launch something new for both magazines and its readers.

Oracle strives to be a community magazine and I feel part of its job is to give the community a voice; hence the free local issues pages every month. Taking this a stage further, I thought it would be a great idea to give residents the chance to meet with decision makers in the town and ask them questions face to face.This next month sees the launch of Oracle Question Night; the first evening to be held at the Café Masala, Thorpe Bay with the new leader of Southend Borough Council, Cllr.

Ron Woodley.

How it will work; Oracle will pay for 15 readers plus their partners to dine and ask their previously submitted question to Cllr.Woodley.The evening, I am sure will be of great interest,debate and revelation.So,if you wish to partake in the evening then please send in your question and contact details as outlined below.

Oracle Question Night’s initial evening will take place at the Café Masala, Broadway, Thorpe Bay at 7pm on Wednesday, 12th November. Please note that your question along with your contact details must be submitted either by email or by post to:- Oracle Question Night,39 Alexandra Street,Southend,SS1 1BW or email info@oraclepublications.co.uk closing date for question is Friday, 7th November.

Good luck!

Emma Wynne-Morgan Publisher

01702 393838

39 Alexandra Street, Southend, Essex SS1 1BW

www.oraclepublications.co.uk

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contents Local Issues About the Keyhole Cancer Appeal

by Keyhole Cancer Appeal

9/10

How to sparkle on Bonfire Night Hair & Beauty by Craig Smith

16

Growing and supporting local businesses Council News by Cllr Ron Woodley

22

Chinese Chilli Beef Judy's Recipe Page

26

Preparing your Garden for Winter Wildlife 30 Oracle Gardening by James Dalton Landscaping

Security:Grilles, Bars & Roller Shutters

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Oracle Security by Simon Wakefield Sudoku Diary Dates Advertisers Index

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Advertorials Cameo 4

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At Cameo we work really hard to ensure that the clothes we have are more exclusive and select our collections from designer labels who only supply into independent boutiques. So you won’t find the things we have on the general high street or in department stores.

Advertorial

Get wrapped up for Winter Autumn is well and truly here with Christmas just around the corner. It’s time to dust off your winter wardrobe, see what still fits and then relish the thought that you just have to have some new Winter clothes! The new season collections are in stock now at the boutique so it’s the perfect time to take a visit to Cameo for some well needed retail therapy.

Not in the High Street

This season we have 3 super new casual-wear collections from Marble, Strawberry Bay and Brandtex with prices starting from just £25. We also have a fabulous accessories collection from Pia Rossini with beautiful scarves and handbags all just perfect for updating your look or the perfect gift.

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ameo 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.

Of course we still have our fantastic dressed up collections from Michaela Louisa, Gina Bacconi, John Charles and Irresistible.

Parking is free in Hadleigh on Saturdays, so there really is no excuse not to call in and see us!

We are best known for our Mother of Bride Collections and are stockists of some of the best British Occasionwear Designers. But don’t forget we also carry casual-wear collections, offering something for everyone whatever the occasion.

We offer a really fantastic personal service helping all our customers to make the right decision on their outfit and make sure that have all the coordinating accessories.

A thoroughly enjoyable shopping experience.

Above all, the Cameo team are committed to ensuring all our customers have a thoroughly enjoyable retail experience and leave knowing they have the right outfit. Whatever the occasion our friendly and experienced staff will work with you to ensure you look and feel your very best.

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NOVEMBER 2014

Local Issues

About the Keyhole Cancer Appeal

S

outhend Hospital Charitable Foundation has taken on an exciting new challenge to raise £600,000 for the provision of a new state-of-the-art laparoscopic (keyhole surgery) theatre suite at Southend University Hospital.

The Keyhole Cancer Appeal will enable surgeons to perform the latest and most complex keyhole procedures for patients undergoing cancer and general surgery. At the heart of the new theatre will be some of the most advanced camera systems in Europe, which deliver extremely high quality 3D images.

Hundreds of Southend patients are likely to benefit each year. They include people suffering with bowel and prostate cancer or gynecological conditions. Many of these patients would have previously had to have ‘open’ surgery’ which would have meant longer hospital stays and recovery times and greater post-operative pain and scarring.

Mr. Mike Dworkin, speaking on behalf of the surgeons at Southend University Hospital said: “The new operating theatre will deliver high resolution 3D images allowing us to see and identify anatomical structures more easily and perform the most complex keyhole procedures.

For the first time all the systems in the operating theatre will be under the central control of touch NOVEMBER 2014

panels and the new equipment will be free of pipes, tubes and wiring. We will also be able to bring digital x-rays and body scans to the screens and to record or film the operation for the benefit of patient records. It also means the surgeon can use the two-way video conferencing function to dramatically enhance the teaching process. We really are incredibly grateful to Southend Hospital Charitable Foundation for launching this appeal which we know will make a significant difference to the patients we treat”.

How you can help - Events?

Winter Ball, Sat 6 December:

Join us for our fabulous Winter Ball for a spectacular night of great food and entertainment at the luxurious Orsett Hall.

Following a champagne reception, 300 guests will make their way to their tables in the stylish Main Pavilion where a delicious three-course meal and wine will be served.

You will also be given the chance to bid for luxury packages in our charity auction.

After your meal you can dance the night away to an array of professional entertainers who will be sure to leave you feeling festive. Whether you attend for personal enjoyment or to offer quality

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entertainment to clients and colleagues, we promise you an evening you will never forget.

Ticket Price: £50, Included: Welcome drink, 3-course meal, ½ bottle of wine and live entertainment. For more information call: 01702 38533

Volunteer We are supported by a wonderful team of volunteers who kindly donate their time. Whether it’s to serve customers in one of our shops or marshalling at an event, our volunteers are a valued part of the team. We're always looking for new volunteers to join us and make a difference.

We’d love to have you join the team! Roles are available in a wide variety of areas: n n

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In our shops:- we have two shops in the Westcliff and Leigh area Fundraising:- whether on a regular basis helping to plan events or arrange collection boxes or occasionally helping out at events.

To register your interest please visit: www.southend.nhs.uk/support-us/volunteering

Involving your Company There are many different ways for companies, large and small, to get involved with Southend Hospital Charitable Foundation. With health being a key concern for many customers, clients and staff, we are a registered charity with a strong community appeal. If you think your company or office might like to make a corporate donation or encourage employees to donate as individuals or via their payroll, run an employee fundraising initiative, promote our exciting fundraising events, or sponsor some aspect of our work, we can work with you to make the most of your ideas.

Don’t forget our Christmas Craft and Gift Fair!

Sunday 16th November, The Mill Rayleigh See Oracle diary dates page 36 for info.

As well as creating interesting PR and marketing opportunities, a partnership with Southend Hospital Charitable Foundation also brings many internal benefits including better employee relations and increased staff morale.

We believe that we will best achieve our aims by meeting yours. Whichever type of corporate partnership you are interested in, we will tailor it to suit your needs.

For further information, please fundraising@southend.nhs.uk or 385337. Our grateful thanks to companies, large and small, who support our appeals.

e-mail us call 01702 the many generously

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Keyhole Cancer Appeal

01702 385337 fundraising@southend.nhs.uk

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Design, service & quality

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Oracle Hair & Beauty

How to sparkle on Bonfire Night…

O ne of my favourite aspects of autumn is Bonfire Night. It’s a great excuse to get out of the house, meet up with friends and family and be a big kid. It’s also the perfect excuse to dig out our favourite slouchy sweaters, chunky scarves and sturdy boots without anyone judging your fashion sense. Least of all, your hair!

Much as the style industry loves a trend and sends everyone scurrying off in different directions looking for the season’s hottest look, nobody’s really thought about this fabulous evening of sparklers, firelight and vivid, rainbow-coloured explosions. So, I’m starting a thing, Bonfire Night Hair!

Wow Factor!

Of course, me being me, Bonfire Night Hair is still about creating a wow factor that is the envy of all your friends. Of course, Bonfire Night Hair is not strictly restricted to November 5th, I’ll have you looking smokin’ hot whenever and wherever you are.

A wrap-around braid has a fairytale princess look about it and is something that many women practiced doing as in their childhood. For a more grown-up look you can accessorise it with a barrette or clip, even weaving coloured thread or faux flowers into it.

Naturally, running around with excitable children, or trying to eat a cheeky hotdog without getting your hair in the way can be a challenge. That’s when a gorgeous, wraparound bun – on your head, not in your hand – really comes into its own.

If you have long, thick locks, this is ideal for you.

Classic look An all-too overlooked hairstyle that is ideal for events like a firework party, is the classic French plait. It requires a little more effort but don’t let that deter you. It doesn’t take much time to do and the effect is stunning.

You can use your plaiting skills to jazz up a simple ponytail, by turning it into a rope braid version a la Nicole Scherzinger. This style really works with all hair types and colours, so long as it’s long, and takes just five minutes to do.Which leaves you with more time to decide whether to team it with a plain top and some statement jewellery, or an eye-catching outfit that says that the stars aren’t only in the sky at night.

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A Four-Step Ponytail also looks sassy. It’s simple to create and works with thick, curly, fine or straight hair.

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Council News

Growing and supporting local businesses S outhend-on-Sea was recently successful in receiving £1.8m from central government. All small and medium sized local businesses who are creating new jobs and safeguarding others can apply for the funding.

There have been 23 grants awarded so far, with a further nine nearing completion.

This initiative is also levering in significant private sector investment and is providing a major boost to the town’s economic growth.

The money is not from local council tax and grants to businesses are determined on clear criteria which are based upon meeting the match funding requirement along with delivering new, or safeguarding existing jobs. It is for individual businesses to decide if their plans merit submitting a bid but we welcome submissions from any sector of the business community.

The successful use of this funding and the wider programme is a sign of Southend’s growing potential which has been recognised by central Government.

Business grants Grants are retrospective, therefore payments will be made once businesses have made their investment and created or safeguarded jobs. Small businesses have been included in receiving grants and more are interested.

Seafront traders have been advised of this funding opportunity and some have applications in place. The panel which accesses applications is

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made up of various businesses and is audited by Lancaster University.

If you are a small or medium sized business, please visit www.businesssouthend.co.uk for more information.

Recent Local Flooding The central part of town was recently hit by a major storm. Clearly some of the infrastructure struggled to cope and has highlighted areas across the town that are susceptive to flooding. We need to be realistic in the fact that we cannot solve flood risk overnight, there are investigations to be done before a robust engineering solution can be found.

Therefore an internal team has been tasked to review drainage at flood hotspots across the borough including an inspection schedule of drains and gullies in Southend. In addition exploratory work will be carried out by Anglian Water, who has responsibility for the capacity and maintenance of the public sewer network and are co-operating in finding a long term solution.

In the meantime, we will look into what can be done to improve our flood response and find better ways of deploying teams to sites at times of flooding. A report into last year’s flooding is due to be published very soon and a report into the recent flooding is being fast-tracked.

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

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recipe of the month

Method:

In the Kitchen with Judy Barden

Put the meat in the freezer 25-30 mins before you plan to start cooking. This will firm it up a bit and make it easier to slice really thinly.

Meanwhile, remove the core and seeds from the pepper and cut it into very thin strips. Slice the spring onions diagonally and slice the broccoli spears in half or quarters through the stems and florets. Thinly slice the pak choi. Mix together the orange juice, vinegar, soy sauce and chilli sauce. Set aside.

Slice the beef into very thin strips. In a bowl, beat the egg white with a fork to make it slightly frothy, then stir in the beef with the five-spice powder, cornflour, flour and a good grinding of pepper so everything is evenly coated. Pour 1 tbsp of the oil into a non-stick wok or frying pan.When it’s very hot (test if ready by dropping a small piece of beef in – it should immediately sizzle), put the beef in, stirring to separate, and stir-fry for 3-4 mins. remove with a slotted spoon and set aside.

Chinese Chilli Beef

T

his is a super quick supper dish just as good as a Chinese takeaway but much lighter, lower in sugar, fat and salt. If you want to make it even healthier add more vegetables and you can spice it up by adding more chilli if you like.

Enjoy!

Ingredients: 250g lean beef, such as sirloin steak, trimmed of any excess fat ½ red pepper 4 spring onions, ends trimmed 85g Tenderstem broccoli spears 100g pak choi (baby pak choi is good) 3 tbsp fresh orange juice 1 tsp Chinese rice wine vinegar or white wine vinegar 2 tsp dark soy sauce 1 tsp hot chilli sauce, 1 medium egg white ½ tsp five-spice powder 1 tbsp cornflour 1½ tsp self-raising flour 1 tbsp plus 1 ½ tsp rapeseed oil 2 garlic cloves, finely chopped 2 tsp finely chopped root ginger ¼ tsp chilli flakes, or a good pinch if you prefer it a bit milder

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ORACLE-ON-SEA

Steam the broccoli spears for 1 ½ mins, then sit the pak choi on top and steam for another 45 secs-1 min until both are tender-crisp. Remove and cool under running cold water so that they stop cooking and retain their colour. Set aside.

Pour the remaining oil into the wok and heat it again until very hot. Throw in the garlic, ginger, red pepper and spring onions, and stir-fry for 2-3 mins until starting to brown. Add the chilli flakes, then pour in the soy sauce and orange juice mix with 4-5 tbsp water.

As it comes to the boil, stir in the beef and steamed veg, and cook briefly just to heat through. If you want a little more sauciness, splash in another 1-2 tbsp water.

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Next month’s recipe: Festive Spiced Ham with Cumberland Sauce

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Oracle Gardening

Butterflies and moths These insects will head to sheds to hide away and escape the cold temperatures. Moth larvae will hide away in the soil for maximum protection. Keep the exterior of your shed clean and frost free.

Fallen leaves Now the leaves have started to fall from the trees, spread these over your flowerbed. The leaves provide mulch and also create a great shelter for frogs and toads looking for safe hiding places.

Hedge care Don’t trim hedges until the end of winter.

Hedges provide a haven for hedgehogs and birds, who can feast on the winter berries.

Preparing your Garden for Winter Wildlife

A

s the evenings draw in and the temperature drops, doing a bit of garden maintenance is probably the last thing on your mind.

Pond care Save cleaning out the pond until January.

Newts, snails, dragonflies, frogs and toads prefer ponds with vegetation in anyway. You can place clay roof tiles in the pond to provide shelter for frogs. On frosty mornings, make sure your pond isn’t iced over, or the water will become deprived of oxygen.

However, if you want to make your garden a haven for wildlife in the cold winter months, experts recommend that you should actually leave tidying it until around the end of January.

Read on to find out how you can play the perfect host to popular Essex wildlife during winter.

Newts, frogs and toads Keep a few empty plant pots and piles of bricks out to make a home for these creatures during the winter. Frogs prefer hiding in leaves or deep in your pond.

Birds On a winter’s night, wrens can lose ten per cent of their body weight. They keep warm by roosting communally, usually in empty bird boxes, so make sure yours are cleared out for these feathered friends.

Give birds a helping hand by providing food for them during the winter months. This will help improve their chances of breeding.

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Please be extra careful if you’re having a bonfire. Bonfires are hedgehog hotels and shouldn’t be built until the day you decide to light them. If you do have to make the bonfire in advance, check there aren’t any hedgehogs hiding away by using a broom to gently lift it section by section.

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

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NOVEMBER 2014

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)

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ORACLE-ON-SEA

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 41 Alexandra Street, Southend-on-Sea, Essex , SS1 1BW

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1 4 3 5 5 4 2 3 6 1 2 9 6 5 5 1 4 2 5SUDOKU

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GRASS ROOTS LANDSCAPING

Diary Dates FIREWORK DISPLAY Sat 8th Nov & 15th Nov - Southend Seafront

CHRISTMAS BAZAAR Saturday 8th Nov. Bellevue Baptist Church Hall, off Southchurch Road - 10.30 a.m. to 12.30 p.m.

Lots of Christmas goodies.

Refreshments and homemade cakes. Admission £1

WYRD SISTERS Dixon Studio, Palace Theatre Wed 12th Nov till Sat 15th Nov 7.30pm Saturday Matinee 2.30pm A fantasy comedy production adapted from the Discworld novel by Terry Pratchett. £10.50 – £11.50 Advanced bookings 01702 232683 / Box office 01702 351135

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CHRISTMAS LIGHTS SWITCH-ON Sat 15th Nov 11am-8pm Southend Town Centre Throughout the Christmas period the town will be decorated with sparkling lights and decorations.

CHRISTMAS CRAFT & GIFT FAYRE Sunday 16th Nov 10.30am-4pm The Mill, Bellingham Lane, Rayleigh (free parking) Craft & gift stalls, Santa’s Grotto, raffle , refreshments and more! £1.50 adults children under 16 free 01702 385337

Good things for the home

LEIGH LIGHTS SWITCH-ON Friday 28th Nov 5pm - Get into the Christmas Spirit at this annual family fun event with charity Stalls in Elm Road, Festive Craft Fayre, Children’s pre-parade Fun Time at Leigh Community Centre from late afternoon, fairground and Leigh's much loved Yuletide Procession at 6.30pm.

SANTA’S PARADE Sat 29th November 12pm-6pm, Southend High Street Lots of activities including lantern-making and face painting, meet Santa’s reindeer and watch the parade.

TUDOR CHRISTMAS Sat 29th November 10am-3pm Southchurch Hall - Step back into the Tudor Period at the atmospheric Southchurch Hall as it prepares for Christmas when mince pies were rectangular, Christmas trees were prickly and hung from a beam, when the pudding was pottage and tinsel was evergreens!

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Oracle-on-Sea

ORACLE

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Thorpe Bay

November 2014

ORACLE ORACLE

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Your Stove is waiting for you!

Photo for illustration purposes only

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