Oracle on-Sea Oct 2015 by Oracle Publications

Oracle-on-Sea

October 2015

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

Competition WIN! FREE yoga passes worth £100! At Shambhala Studio

SPECIAL! Ghost Hunt! Discover your local haunts

NEW! Storytime A bewitching short story

NEW! Local Letters Residents have their say

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Cover photo: The Palace Theatre (1912) Courtesy of The Palace Theatre Club

GO WITH YOUR GUT. When you know, you just know. And the moment you see the ingenious new MINI Clubman, will be one of those times. Discover its sleek silhouette, cutting-edge technology and luxurious design before the official launch weekend by attending the preview event. Join us on Friday 30 October from 19:00 for a Casino evening featuring a magician, singer, canapés and refreshments. To put your name down, just follow your instinct. To RSVP or pre-book a test drive* visit www.fairfieldmini.co.uk/newclubman Fairfield Arterial Road, Eastwood Leigh-on-Sea SS9 4XX Tel: 01702 429429

THE NEW MINI CLUBMAN – ARRIVES OCTOBER. Official Fuel Economy Figures for the new MINI Clubman Range: Urban 35.8-60.1 mpg (8-4.7 l/100km). Extra Urban 52.3-76.3 mpg (5.4-3.7 l/100km). Combined 44.8-68.9 mpg (6.3-4.1 l/100km). CO2 Emissions 147-109 g/km. Figures may vary depending on driving style and conditions. *Test drive is subject to status and availability.

OR ACLE Publisher’s letter

elebrating the ancient Celtic festival of Halloween has become very popular over the last decade. This month, entering into the spirit of things, Oracle has mapped a local Ghost Hunt featuring wellknown places in the town. This month's competition has been kindly donated by Chocolate Buddha Yoga Clothing and Shambhala Studio; they are offering one lucky winner a 10-class FREE pass. The winner will be able to try a variety of yoga styles and different teachers to find a combination that suits them. The pass is valid until 31st December and is valued at approximately £100. Please visit the website for more information www.shambhalastudios.com or call 01702 478924. To enter simply send your details to: Oracle/Shambhalastudios Competition, Oracle House, 11 Clarence Road, Southend, Essex SS1 1AN or email: info@oraclepublications.co.uk Closing date 30 October 2015. Finally, I would like to invite local businesses to Oracle’s next FREE event on Wednesday, 21 October 2015 at 7.00pm at the Park Inn Palace. This event, which includes a FREE hot finger buffet and wine on arrival, will inform businesses on the effects of the imminent autoenrolment and pension changes that are due to take effect early next year. Please contact us early for a place, as space is limited.

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contents Tram Stop Shelter on track for success 9/10 by Bob Craven

Gothic Revival Hair & Beauty by Craig Smith

SPECIAL! The Oracle Ghost Hunt

20/21

NEW! Let’s Pretend Fiction by local author, Adele Ramet

24,50

Farmhouse Chicken Casserole Judy's Recipe Page

Striving for Southend by Cllr Ron Woodley

Discovering Andalucia – Part Two Oracle Travel by Melanie Williams

NEW! Local Letters Residents have their say

Sudoku Diary Dates Useful Numbers Advertiser Index

46 48 52 54

Advertorials Cliff House Clinic c2c Cameo Boutique Thorpe Hall School

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Move over Botox, Collagen Wave is here! F

or those in the know, Botox has now become yesterday’s news. A host of ‘the great and the good’, who rely upon their youthful appearance, have suddenly ‘discovered’ Collagen Wave Stimulation Therapy. From Amanda Holden to Mel B, Collagen Wave is the treatment for the face, forehead jawline and neck. Cliff House Clinic was, again, in the forefront of pioneering this technology. Our specialised equipment is truly cutting edge: not only this, but our Clinicians are professionally trained, qualified and experienced in providing these revolutionary treatments.

What is Collagen Wave? The principle is that heat is delivered into the deeper layers of the skin by a ‘wand’ which glides across the skin’s surface, without damaging or marking it in any way. This heating action causes collagen structures in the skin to tighten as well as stimulates new collagen growth. The result is healthier and smoother skin with a more radiant and youthful appearance. The treatment is not only totally painless: many of our Clients have commented that their treatment has been warm, pleasant and comfortable. In addition, there is no ‘down-time’ and, in fact, makeup can be applied immediately after a treatment session.

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Local Issues

Tram stop shelter on track for success T

horpe Bayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s exciting tram stop shelter project has made huge progress over the last few months. Our experienced Build Team has drastically reduced the cost of any rebuild by recruiting help from local suppliers and contractors and researching the various building techniques that are available. The design, style and character of the building will still be our iconic Edwardian shelter.

End of the line The Council has accepted the civil engineering survey, commissioned by us, stating that the structure is in danger of collapsing. During the autumn/winter 2015â&#x20AC;&#x201C;16, council contractors will demolish the shelter, replace the cracked, crumbling, rusted and corroded concrete slab forming the floor of the shelter and the ceiling of the toilets and refurbish the toilets as necessary below. This will leave a flat base at road level which will be surrounded by safety-railings and await our project to rebuild the shelter. OCTOBER 2015

Catch points Supported by Southend Council Economic Development Team we have applied for a grant from the Coastal Revival Fund. This is a competitive scheme so no guarantees! Our project fulfills all the criteria of the fund in regenerating a derelict seaside asset for the community, improving health and wellbeing, the economy, providing employment and a base for charities. If successful, the funding will enable us to rebuild the shelter, including flooring, power supply, internal walls and plumbing but minus the windows, before the end of March 2016. Hence, we are urgently seeking sponsorship from companies, local groups and individuals for the windows and fixtures to complete the rebuild.

By the community, for the community Our Disability Team is working with the Council Seafront Resort Team to build a beach access ramp on the slipway adjacent to the Shelter.

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Over 95 groups of all ages and abilities want to Our website contains much more information and you can keep up-to-date with news and events by use the Shelter. signing up to our weekly newsletter and Some vulnerable members will need exclusive following us on Facebook. use for security and safety reasons however there We carry out presentations to groups, schools and will be plenty of times for passers-by to use it. residents. Just ask â&#x20AC;&#x201C; we are always willing! At weekends charities and other groups will open the shelter (village hall style) for the general Find out more and how you can help us by public to use and have a cup of tea or coffee while coming to our next presentation, on Thursday, 5 November, 2pm at the Roslin Beach Hotel, they enjoy the magnificent views. Thorpe Esplanade, Southend. RSVP to: 20 Marcus Chase, Southend-on-Sea, SS1 3LG or email as Get on board below. All are welcome! Donations are needed and so appreciated but Bob Craven your help does not have to be in cash! Chair/Trustee Give generously by volunteering for us. There are a variety of tasks. All can be done at your own email: rdc169@talktalk.net pace and enjoyment is compulsory. www.tramstopshelter.co.uk

You can also support our many events.

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Oracle Hair & Beauty

Gothic revival T

hose of you fortunate to have enjoyed your teenage years in the Eighties will probably remember the many genres of music that influenced how we dressed and with whom we associated.

create a new lip colour. Alternatively, a thick slick of black eyeliner across the lids will look sensational.

Back then you were spoilt for choice; whether it was Two-Tone, post-Punk, New Romantic, Pyschobilly, Soul or Acid House, British youth could always find a musical and fashion-based outlet that reflected their personalities or lives.

Gothic hair has traditionally been about creating a back-combed mass of hair that would make Edward Scissorhands weep with envy, but the new take can be quite subversive if you go groomed. Autumn is all about being decidedly more ladylike. This is in keeping with the original Goth ethos of being sartorially immaculate, but this time around, by no means least with your hair. A more ‘done’ approach, without going OTT, creates a sense of classicbeauty-with-a-twist. A pinned-up high-ponytail look is perfect.

If you were a little repressed, bookish and considered yourself an outsider, Goth was perfect. Not only did it follow Henry Ford’s colour palette – anything so long as it’s black – Goth’s neoVictorian style and emphasis on being thin was ideal for moody teenagers who didn’t want to be seen as cool, so much as non-conformist.

Gone for a Burton

Which is why the news reaching these parts that it is making a comeback delights me. Only you wouldn’t know because I’m concentrating on looking miserable …

This time last year, nude hues were the thing but in the spirit of re-embracing your moody, teenage self, I recommend muted, darker, natural tones for nails. Think greens, dark chocolate brown and autumnal reds.

Back from the dead

Now, where did I put that Alien Sex Fiend album?

Now I know that for anyone other than an exGoth, the look isn’t one you’d normally embrace; deathly-pale skin and dramatic, smoky eyes. But as the nights draw in now is the perfect time to embrace the dark side.

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I was astonished at the old lady’s reaction. She sort of crumpled before my eyes and tears began to stream down her hooked nose. “What do you know about it?” She almost spat the words.“Stupid little girl!” “I’m sorry.” Horrified, I ran to her side and grasped her bony elbow. “Please don’t cry.” I steered her to the doorway. “Come inside and sit down for a minute.”

Storytime

Let’s Pretend by Adele Ramet

isiting Aunt Edie has always given me pleasure, especially on Halloween. She’s, well, eccentric would be the best word to describe her. She’s not really my aunt, of course, but we sort of adopted each other when I was a child. The other children in the village were terrified of her but, the moment we met, I knew all those stories about her being a witch were a load of rubbish. I was on my way to a Halloween party. A gang of boys were being chased out of the tangled garden of Aunt Edie’s terraced cottage as I passed. “Clear off!” she yelled, brandishing a very ordinary-looking broom. “Or I’ll turn you all into frogs and—” she added as an afterthought,“eat you for my supper!” The boys ran for their lives but, as I watched from the safety of her broken-down fence, I simply shook with laughter. “What’s so funny, Miss?” Aunt Edie rounded on me in apparent fury but I noticed she’d lowered the broom head, her brilliant, beady eyes registering interest. “Nothing.” I ventured a step into the garden but the broom was immediately raised in defence. “You stay where you are, Miss.” She shook her thatch of thick, straight hair. “Or I’ll turn you into a … a …” I took another step forward defiantly.“A what?” I walked slowly towards her.“You’re not a witch!” I was full of the confidence of youth. “I bet you’ve never even managed to cast one tiny spell successfully.”

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The interior of the cottage was just how I’d hoped it would be. The front door led straight into the gloomy sitting room, tattered curtains covering the grimy window. “Shall I make you a cup of tea?” I asked and was surprised when Aunt Edie nodded and led me through into the kitchen. Despite the open fire, there was no cauldron, only a disappointingly modern, though somewhat battered, electric cooker. I filled the kettle and hunted through the jumble of tins and cartons on the worktop for a tea caddy. “It’s over there.” Aunt Edie pointed a long fingernail at a box of tea bags and again I felt a pang of disappointment that they were just a wellknown brand. “No herb tea?” I raised my eyebrows but immediately regretted my flippant behaviour. Aunt Edie scraped a chair out from the wooden table and, sitting down heavily, slumped her head in her hands. “All right.” Her voice was thick. “Maybe I’m not a witch.” She fixed me with those bright, dark eyes. “But I’d like to be!” A broad smile lit her face, showing dirty, broken teeth.“It must be great fun and I don’t have much of that in my life, I can tell you. I’d love to know a spell that could turn people into frogs, for instance.” Handing her a mug of tea, I sat down. Even as a child, I knew there was nothing I could do to help her obtain her desires. It was so sad. “Well, if you want to be a witch so badly, why not pretend to be one? I mean, you certainly look the part.” “Do I really?” Aunt Edie’s smile was even broader now.“I try to appear authentic.” She stood up,“So you think this dress is all right?” I considered the cloak-like creation. I couldn’t imagine any self-respecting witch wearing it. “It’s perfect.” I frowned suddenly. “But won’t you mind if the other children call you names and grown-ups are nasty?” Slowly, Aunt Edie sat down and took my plump hand in her old claw, “Ordinary people are always frightened of anyone who’s a bit different.” continued on page 50 …

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enjoyable retail experience and leave knowing they have the right outfit. Whatever the occasion their friendly and experienced staff will work with you to ensure you look and feel your very best.

Advertorial

At Cameo they work really hard to ensure that the clothes they have are more exclusive and they select their collections from designer labels who only supply into independent boutiques. So you won’t find their things on the general high street or in department stores. Their philosophy is to create exclusive looks but at affordable prices.

Autumn collections arriving now! Whether you are going to a wedding, off on a night out, on a cruise or just need to update your Autumn wardrobe now is the time to call into the boutique. New Autumn stock is arriving daily at the boutique.

Cameo Boutique – beautiful clothes and accessories you won’t find on the high street

ameo 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 for their compatibility with each other allowing many of the collections to be mixed and matched which creates a truly unique offer.

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A thoroughly enjoyable experience Above all, the Cameo team are committed to ensuring all their customers have a thoroughly OCTOBER 2015

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O Ope Open pen M Mor Morning orning rning Saturday Saturday 17th October fr from om 10am until 12 noon www www.thorpehallschool.co.uk .thorpehallschool.co.uk

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recipe of the month

Ingredients continued... 500g small Chantenay carrots 2 large leeks, thickly sliced 40g plain flour 500ml Chicken stock Sprigs of thyme and parsley Salt and ground black pepper 150ml double cream or crème fraîche 1 tsp coarse-grain mustard 1 tsp English mustard

In the Kitchen with Judy Barden

Method: Set the oven to 160°C/325°F/Gas Mark 3. Heat a little oil in a large frying pan or oven proof casserole and add the chicken thighs, in 1 or 2 batches, skin-side down. Cook until the skin browns well, then turn them over and cook for another couple of mins. Take them out and set aside.

Farmhouse Chicken Casserole

his recipe uses chicken thighs – much cheaper to buy than other cuts of chicken – meaning this dish is ideal if you’re looking for an economical meal. Chicken thighs become really tender and have lots of flavour when casseroled and a cream sauce with a spoonful of whole grain and English mustards for a kick makes the chicken extra delicious. It’s really easy and freezes well. Enjoy! Farmhouse Chicken Casserole Serves 6

Ingredients: 12 chicken thighs, skin on 1–2 tbsp olive oil

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Drain off all the fat from the pan. Add a little more oil and when hot, add the carrots and leeks and cook for about 5 mins. Add the flour and cook it for about a minute. Add the chicken stock and bring it to the boil, stirring until thickened. Add the sprigs of thyme and parsley. Season well. Put the chicken thighs on top. Cover with foil or a lid and cook for 50 mins–1 hour making sure the thighs are tender and the meat falls off the bone. Stir in the cream or crème fraîche, whisk well and simmer for a few minutes. Add the mustards and seasoning. Serve the chicken, along with potatoes, beans and peas, if you like.

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Council News

Striving for Southend T

his month’s article is to update you on the main aims of Southend Council and how we keep on striving to improve the town we live in, dealing with matters that as residents, are important to all of us. My personal ambition is for Southend-on-Sea to have a strong local economy with full employment. Crime, disorder and anti-social behaviour, according to the British Crime Survey, have reduced in the borough. This will be further helped by LED street lighting, improved CCTV coverage, and our Anti-Social Behaviour Team dealing with cases promptly and efficiently. It makes a huge difference to an area if residents work closely with the Council at keeping our street scene free of litter and well maintained. The Council will also ensure that our parks and open spaces look attractive, arrange the planting of trees and plants on a regular basis, and ensure refuse collections are carried out efficiently. The town has a good record of recycling and this assisted in helping Southend-on-Sea being ranked the second ‘greenest’ town on the UK Vitality Index. It has always been important to look after our vulnerable children and adults and Southend Council want to improve their outcomes. Care homes will receive investment, mental health services will be improved for people in crisis, and increasing numbers of adults with learning disabilities are finding paid employment.

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Sport and culture are important activities for many residents. The Beecroft Art Gallery has seen an increase in visitor numbers as has the pier, and there were free events staged throughout the year, with talks, concerts, exhibitions and a range of fitness classes at the parks and leisure centres. It is important to maintain this wide range of activities and to build on them, with future developments for the pier and a new museum built into the Cliffs, making Southend-on-Sea an interesting and vibrant place to live. We will continue to try and encourage the prosperity of Southend-on-Sea and its residents through grants for small businesses, the creation of jobs at the Airport Business Park and the leisure scheme at the Seaway car park. Through the regeneration of Victoria Avenue, the building of affordable homes and road improvements on the A127 culminating in a state-of-the-art traffic light system to improve traffic flows. Don’t forget to check whether a new energy deal with Southend Energy Company will save you money.

O Cllr Ron Woodley 01702 588662 Leader of Southend-on-Sea Borough Council

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OCTOBER

2015

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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

that obviously helps. 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.’ Cloudy2Clear service the Southend, Leigh on Sea and Thorpe Bay areas DQG &KULV LV ÀQGLQJ WKDW his approach is a major

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The grandeur of Seville We finished our spectacular tour with perhaps the best of all Seville, the fourth largest city in Spain. The architecture is a joy to the eye, a city dominated by the magnificent cathedral with its wonderful bell tower (once a minaret) and the captivating Royal Palace (Alcazar) and the many different areas of the city. I would recommend a walking tour with a local guide on your first day, many of the wonderful sites are hidden behind unassuming facades.

Discovering Andalucia â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Part 2 L

ast month we finished our journey in the tranquil and lesser known towns of Ubeda and Baeza. Continuing our travel northwards we arrived in Cordoba, a myriad of cobbled streets, geranium filled courtyards and home to the spectacular Mezquita. The city was the Islamic capital of Western Europe and later became the provincial capital under the Christians. The Mezquita was opened for prayer in 785 and periodically extended to create a breathtaking spiritual place, 824 columns depicting early cultures at the site. Most remarkable is that in the middle of this huge mosque there is a 16th century Renaissance-Baroque cathedral.

Mi casa es tu casa Wander through the Jewish quarter, enjoy a glass of wine in one of the many quiet courtyards filled with flowers and stay in one of the preserved mansions like the Casa de Juderia. These traditional old houses are hidden, quiet and intimate. Unwind by the pool, away from the hustle and bustle of the streets outside.

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A must for lunch is Ena by Carles Abellan at the Hotel Alfonso XIII where you can sit and watch Seville from the stunning terrace. This fabulous, authentic Moorish building has recently been lovingly restored to its former glory â&#x20AC;&#x201C; a great place to stay at the end your tour. Enjoy some quiet time by the Guadalquivir River in the Barrio of Triana, a less touristic area to relax and soak up the more artistic, Bohemian chic of this truly stunning city. by Melanie Williams

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OCTOBER

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Local Letters RE: “THE BUSINESS OF CHARITY” IN LAST MONTH’S ORACLE I WORK AT Cancer Research UK, the UK’s largest I AM WRITING as Director of the local Bran Cancer charity and understand that the ch of subject of Samaritans in Southend. We also have staff salaries causes concern to our supp a charity orters. shop in Ham let Cour t Road in Westcliff and I am In fact, 80p from every £1 raised at CRUK is proud of the fact that our branch and spent directly on the work we do. The shop are other 20p totall y volunteer led, having NO paid staff goes into developing ways to raise more at all. . Therefore, all the funds raised from We want to attract the best people for the sale of the job, dona ted good s goes back to the local branch of whether that’s pioneering scientists who can work our charity, to fund running costs, expe towards those breakthroughs, specialist nses and Cancer raise awar eness in the local community. Information Nurses to answer any concerns Our day managers in the shop are all patients may have, or experienced chari listening ty workers volunteers but we also have a core who can support and inspire volun of twelve to teers and fiftee n supp ort volunteers. They help maintain our supporters to raise the vital funds we need. opening hours, allowing us to keep the In order to attract the best people, the prices low salaries and provide a reliable resource in have to compete with other charities and the local markets. community. In the shop they work hard As we receive no government fundi to organise ng, every any dona tions and give a friendly service to those step we make towards beating canc er relies on who shop there. every pound, every hour and every perso n. Our vision as Samaritans is that fewe People can restrict the money they’ve r people raised – die by suicide, and therefore, through for example, towards a piece of equip our listening ment, or to servi ce, we offer a safe place for people to talk cover the costs of a PHD student’s resea rch or a confidentially, any time of the day or night new nurse – so supporters can see , any day a physical of the year. outcome of the money they have raise d. Without the donations of our caring supp As a charity we publish our annu orters al report we would be unable to fund our branch publicly online so we remain transparen locally, and t as to are, there fore, very grateful to all of them. where all of our money is spent and I copies are personally believe this is our individual available to be posted out too. strength within the comm unity to be able to give something I hope I have been able to provi de some back to our callers. answers on this subject from Canc er Research If you have any questions or are interested UK’s point of view, but please don’t hesit in ate to get supporting or volunteering, please in touch with our switchboard if you email us at: have any south ends ams@ btco nnec t.com (this address is further questions on 020 7242 0200. Alternatively not our part of our listening service). if you’re interested in fundraising, feel free to email If in distre ss or despair please visit our website: me directly: emily.hesketh@cancer.org .uk www.samaritans.org Kind regards, Joanne Buzer, Emily Hesketh, Local Fundraising Mana ger Director Southend Branch Samaritans

~ PIER PRESSURE ~ Why is it so expensive to walk down the pier? Why do I have to pay for the train even if I don’t use it? It costs more than getting the train to Shoebury for half the distance! How about passes for residents so I can use it whenever I want instead of once a year? I pay my taxes already! Abe R.

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Toilet water? I have noticed a strong smell of urine in side streets in central Southend, the smell pervades beyond the weekend and is usually near pubs. I understand that public urinals are provided during the weekend at night, but is there more that can be done about the problem? N. Parker

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OCTOBER

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Diary Dates FIREWORKS DISPLAYS FREE 3 October–14 November every Saturday, 7.30pm–8pm. Southend seafront. A stunning seven week programme of seafront displays. The last show will follow the Christmas light switch on which will take place on Saturday 14 November. JERSEY BOYS AT MECCA BINGO Friday, October 9th, 6:30pm–10:30pm. Cost £12. Includes meal and bingo. WOMEN’S INSTITUTE SOUTHCHURCH VILLAGE FRIENDS MEETING Every 2nd Monday at 7.30pm. The Hamstel Children & Families Centre, Hamstel Road. MAYOR'S CHARITY FUND QUIZ NIGHT AT GENTING CLUB Tuesday, October 13th 7pm–10pm. Cost £10. Curry included. THE CITADEL GOSPEL CHOIR October 17th at 7.00pm. Rochford Congregational Church, North Street, Rochford. Followed By Light Refreshments. LEIGH-ON-SEA U3A Third Wednesday of the month 2 p.m. West Leigh Baptist Church, 1150 London Road, Leigh-onSea SS9 2AJ. We have a varied programme of speakers each month. Come along to one of our monthly meetings and find out more or, for more information, contact 01702 712894 or 01702 489189. ZOMBIE WALK Sunday 25th October, 3pm. Starting at the end of Southend, all zombies can travel on the pier train for free. The Zombie Walk will end at the Park Inn Palace Hotel around 4pm.

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…continued from page 24 I could see she was very serious now. “I’ve always been ugly and all my life I’ve suffered jeering and name-calling. I’ve done with trying to be nice to people.” She shrugged her rounded shoulders. “No one’s ever had a reason to hate me, so I’ve decided to give them one.” Young as I was, Aunt Edie’s words impressed me and I determined right there and then that I would help in every way I could. I went through the usual motions at the party that evening but couldn’t wait to get home and search through every book in my mother’s house to see if I could find anything to help the old lady. I found some ancient volumes stored in the loft, packed with old wives’ remedies and superstitions. Aunt Edie and I spent many happy months with them, making up all manner of spells and potions. It was all a sham, of course – we never turned anyone into anything, let alone a frog – but Aunt Edie was in her element. As I grew from an adolescent into an adult, I continued to visit Aunt Edie, although I never took any of my friends to meet her. I felt guilty about not inviting her to my wedding but Peter’s family would never have understood. We bought a house on the new executive estate just outside the village. It’s near the station so Peter can commute and I’ve built up an excellent circle of friends. Until recently, Aunt Edie’s neighbours had always left her well alone.Then the lady next door died and the tiny cottage was snapped up by a businessman, keen to experience country life. “I don’t like that new man, Griselda.” Aunt Edie frowned as we pored over a particularly old volume one afternoon. “He’s been complaining about the state of my garden. He shouts at me all the time.” We concocted a really terrific spell that day. Of course, it was all nonsense but as I watched her muttering incantations over the bubbling saucepan, I couldn’t help feeling concerned. I visited her as usual on Halloween but something was obviously very wrong. “You’ve got to help,” she wailed. “Oh dear, I could do with that frog spell right now. It’s that townie next door.” She busied herself with the kettle. He says I’ve got to clear up my herb garden and make repairs to the cottage or else he can have me put away.” I tried to keep my voice calm for her sake. “Oh, I don’t think he can do that.” “Yes, he can, Griselda.” She gripped my hand tightly. “He’s spoken to the council and they can take out some kind of order or something.”

ORACLE-ON-SEA

She pushed a pile of old books towards me.“Help me look through these. There must be a spell somewhere that will help.” I put my arm round her and hugged her frail old body. I was concerned at her getting into such a state. “Don’t worry, Aunt Edie. Look, I’ve got to go, it’s the party tonight and I mustn’t be late.” I smiled comfortingly.“Everything will be all right, I promise.” “I didn’t want to leave her but I had no choice. As soon as I arrived home, I went straight through to the garden; its neat, straight rows so different from Aunt Edie’s tangle of weeds and overgrown brambles. Carefully selecting the items I needed, I returned to the house and set to work preparing the traditional Halloween fare. As usual, the party was a great success and when my twelve friends and I went out into the garden at midnight to sing the old Halloween songs that have been part of our village heritage for generations, I felt instinctively that everything was going to be all right for Aunt Edie. I found her out in her garden the next morning, cackling gleefully to herself. “You did it,” she beamed.“You clever girl. I knew that you could.” “Did what, Aunt Edie?” I smiled fondly. She inclined her head towards the adjoining cottage.“He’s gone!” She flashed her yellow teeth in a wicked grin. “Vanished, poof! Just like that!” She waved her clasped hands over her head in triumph. “Are you sure?” I asked. “Of course,” she sighed, “if I were a real witch. I’d have been able to do it all by myself.” She bent down to release the frog into an especially prickly bramble patch. “I did help you a bit, didn’t I?” “Just a bit.” I laughed, forgiving myself the lie as I saw her dark eyes gleam with joy. “As far as I’m concerned, you’re a real witch.” I hugged her as I helped her to her feet.“As real as I am.”

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OCTOBER

2015

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