Oracle December 2023

December 2023

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COUNCIL Have your say on how your Council is elected

Councillors: Bury the Hatchet LOCAL ISSUES

But Not in Each Other!

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December 2023

ORACLE

WELCOME

In this edition, Philip Miller MBE urges local Councillors to unite for the greater good, emphasising the need to prioritise our town over personal differences.

Cllr James Moyies asks for residents' participation, on how often they want to vote for their local councillors in the future. This is crucial and could have a significant effect on decision making (p.16).

Join the RNLI's 200-year celebration of lifesaving for the town, at The Cliffs Pavilion (p.22).

This Christmas let's rally around our local traders—your support is their lifeline. Before clicking "buy now" online, consider the impact of choosing local. Together, we can make our town thrive.

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This month Genting Casino has kindly offered a voucher. WIN! A dinner for two in the Waterfront Restaurant, Genting Casino. This competition is only open to people aged 18 or over. T&C's apply.

To enter the Oracle/Genting Casino competition visit: www.oraclepublications.co.uk competition page, competition ends 31 December 2023.

I would like to express my gratitude for your unwavering support, especially to my loyal clients who are the backbone of Oracle. Their support is the driving force behind Oracle's success.

Lastly, as the festive season approaches, I want to wish you all a very Merry Christmas, and a New Year filled with joy, good health and prosperity!

Emma Wynne-Morgan Publisher

01702 393838 Oracle House, 11 Clarence Road, Southend-on-Sea, Essex SS1 1AN

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25/04/2023 9:31 am

CONTENTS Councillors: Bury the Hatchet But Not in Each Other!

9/10 Local Issues by Philip Miller MBE

Have your say on how your Council is elected Council by Cllr James Moyies

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Join Southend-on-Sea RNLI in celebrating 200 years of lifesaving 22 Charity by Southend Lifeboat

Project Servator patrols underway at London Southend Airport 26 Police Watch

Business of the Month

30

Commemorating Southend's incredible service

34

Climatec

MP's Column by Anna Firth MP

Keep yourself at your mental peak 40 Health & Wellbeing

by The Sports Rehab Lab

Lighter Chocolate Log Recipe by Judy Barden

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Brainbox 50 Useful Numbers 56 Advertiser Index 58

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All rights reserved. No part of Oracle Publications UK Ltd may be reproduced or used in any form or by any means either wholly or in part without prior permission of the publisher. Oracle Publications UK Ltd is editorially autonomous and the opinions expressed are not those of the publisher unless expressly stated.

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28/09/2023 14:19 December 2023

LOCAL ISSUES

Councillors:

Bury the Hatchet – But Not in Each Other!

We all understand party politics. If the party in power thinks of something good, the opposition party wants the opposite. That’s the way the political world goes round, and that’s fine - to a point.

Philip Miller MBE

Executive Chairman Stockvale Group Of Companies

S

outhend has always had a healthy political interaction between the parties, and independents, of course. Past political foes like David Norman (Labour), Ian Robertson (Conservative), and my good friend Graham Longley (Liberal), all had varying different political views, but all would agree on one thing – The Town's needs come first and what’s best for it.

But recently, it’s been turning nasty, and a very much ‘blame’ culture has set in.

You could trace it back to when the Momentum crowd infiltrated the council - out-of-town people who brought their political vitriol to us.

When the city we all live in, and love, is in such a financial mess as Southend is, maybe it’s time to call a truce and work

December 2023

it out together rather than waste energy political point-scoring.

That's our money!

And here’s my criticism: The previous administration left the current administration with a rather massive hole in the finances. A £15 million hole to be precise. In fact, it’s so serious we might well be having fortnightly bin collections soon.

So, councillors that were part of the old administration should now be asking themselves, ‘Should we be supporting getting the city straight and make amends? Their choice is straightforward enough: play party politics… or the good of the city?’

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9

LOCAL ISSUES What mistakes? You ask!

Mistakes like buying Victoria Shopping Centre for £10 million plus another £3 million on top for repairs, (let’s remember, that’s our money). And to compound the mistake, giving the Boom Battle Bar a nice little incentive of £450,000 to move in!

Thank goodness we had a change of administration before the Labour-led coalition handed over £10 million to Turnstone to evidently kick-start the now-aborted Seaway carpark fiasco.

It's not just visitors These were errors of judgment and, to be honest, all the parties are guilty of that at times.

I shoot from the hip, regardless of the political party. I’ve crossed swords with all the politicos at some time or another. Sure, I wasn’t happy when the Labour-run council put up seafront car parking charges for the third year in a row and scrapped evening free parking.

The Tories reversed that, not because of some old pals act, but because they recognize the one big plus Southend has over other towns is TOURISM, and that one crazy decision would cause it to spiral and cost many jobs in the process.

It’s not just visitors who use the seafront, but residents such as dog walkers, swimmers, or those who just want to pop down for a Rossi’s being scared off by inflated prices.

What's the answer?

The city is broke; savings/cuts need to be made. What you can’t do is kill the golden goose in the process.

10

So what’s the answer? If it were me, I would always ask the question: can the taxpayers afford it? You can’t just magic money out of thin air; you can’t ask the government, they have already blown the pot. This is now beyond austerity, but we also need growth, the only ones who can create it are entrepreneurs/businesses. The council government are just the enablers and should stick to that!

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COUNCIL

Have your say on how your Council is elected

A

consultation asking residents how often they want to vote for their local councillors in the future is open until 15 January 2024, and we want you to have your say.

by Cllr James Moyies Cabinet member with responsibility for constitutional affairs cllrjamesmoyies @southend.gov.uk

In terms of background, The Local Government Boundary Commission is due to carry out a ward boundary review in 2024. The review will make sure councillors represent roughly the same number of people eligible to vote in each ward. The local election that follows the review will require all councillors to be elected at the same time (in a whole council election).

to vote for all councillors once every four years.

The survey provides additional information including arguments in support of both options and is open until 15 January 2024. Residents will be asked to provide the first three digits of their postcode.

The election cycle survey asks for your Get involved in the survey views on whether to revert to voting This is a really important decision for councillors in thirds or whether you that the council needs to take which would prefer to permanently change could have a significant effect on our decision making. It is vital that we get the views of residents.

Ways to take part

You can tell us your views by: l completing the online survey: https://yoursay.southend. gov.uk/election-cycle-survey-2023 l completing a paper survey in one of Southend's libraries l emailing: SarahBrown@southend.gov.uk l calling: 01702 212969 l writing to: Southend-on-Sea City Council, PO Box 6, Civic Centre, Victoria Avenue, Southend-on-Sea, SS2 6ER 16

I would urge residents to get involved in the survey - it is just two simple questions and a free text box, so should take less than a couple of minutes. So, please have your say on how your council is elected.

No other elections will be affected by any future change to Southendon-Sea City Council's electoral cycle.

Parliamentary; Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner; Leigh Town Council elections will continue with their normal electoral cycle.

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CHARITY

Join Southend-on-Sea RNLI in celebrating 200 years of lifesaving

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arch 9, 2024: Southend RNLI invites you to join us in celebrating 200 years of our magnificent charity. Enjoy a delightful 3-course meal, live entertainment & DJ, and the chance to participate in our auction and raffle at The Cliffs Pavilion from 6:30 pm till late. Tickets are priced at £60. For groups, we recommend booking a table.

Army of volunteers The Royal National Lifeboat Institution was founded by Sir William Hillary on March 4, 1824. The commitment and dedication of our volunteer crews and lifeguards remain as strong today as it was then. Collectively, they have saved more than 144,000 lives since the charity's inception. Since 1824, the RNLI has pioneered developments in lifesaving at sea, and our volunteer lifesavers have demonstrated unfailing courage and selflessness. The RNLI currently operates 238 lifeboat stations, 441 lifeboats, and four Hovercraft covering the British Isles. Southend-on-Sea RNLI lifeboat station operates three inshore lifeboats and a rescue Hovercraft. In 2021, Southend was the UK’s busiest coastal station.

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In 1928, the first motor lifeboat arrived, named the ‘Greater London,’ initially moored off the Pier Head. In 1935, a lifeboat house and slipway were completed adjacent to the Pier Head railway station.

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Police Watch v

Project Servator patrols underway at London Southend Airport

L

ondon Southend Airport has become the latest place in the county to be patrolled by Project Servator-trained officers.

reduce crime, increase the visible policing presence and reassure the public.

Servator is a national initiative to detect, deter and disrupt criminal activity.

“Among the thousands of people who pass through the airport every year, there could be individuals who are planning or involved in criminal activity.

The officers have been given specialist training to spot signs that people are planning to commit crime.

“Our officers are trained to look for small indications in their behaviour that make them stand out.

They patrolled in both uniform and plain clothes inside the main terminal building and on the route between there and the airport’s train station.

If it's an emergency, always call 999

In the coming months, officers will continue to arrive unannounced at locations and will be working with partner organisations, businesses and with the local community to remind everyone to be vigilant, trust their instincts and report any suspicious or unusual behaviour.

The same deployments are used in Southend and Colchester city centres and at Stansted Airport and Lakeside shopping centre.

Sergeant James Mint of Southend Community Policing Team ran the operation.

He said: “The aim of Project Servator is to

“We will be deploying officers in different areas at different times to deter crime and help keep our communities safe.

“The officers will be supported by specialist units, including firearms and dog teams.

“We want members of the public to feel confident to come to us if they spot something that doesn’t look right. You don’t need to be trained to notice something out of the ordinary.”

If you see something suspicious, please tell a police officer or use the form on the Essex Police website. If it's an emergency, always call 999.

You’ll find more information on what to look out for and how to report it on the ACT - Action Counters Terrorism website.

Keep up to date with the latest news from Essex Police on facebook.com/EPSouthend and @EPSouthend on Twitter.

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enquiries@andrewsltd.co.uk www.andrewsltd.co.uk C E R T I F I C AT E D D I A M O N D S SUPPLIED

A L L I T E M S A R E F U L LY INSURED WHILST WITHIN OUR CARE, PLUS INSURANCE W O R K I S U N D E R TA K E N

WE HAVE NO CONNEC TION WITH ANY OTHER LOCAL BUSINESS WITH A SIMILAR TRADING NAME

Vouchers accepted. Please bring voucher codes.

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BRING YOUR PRESCRIPTION OPENING TIMES* TIMES* OPENING

❚ GREAT ROOFING PRICES ❚ FULLY GUARANTEED WORK ❚ OUR SERVICES INCLUDE:

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Repairs

27

Don't heat the street!

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WE REPAIR AND REPLACE THE FOLLOWING:  Windows handles  Locks  Hinges  Misted or broken glass  Adjusting windows or doors  Door knockers  Panels Specialist installers and service engineers in all forms of double glazing, triple glazing, UPVC, aluminium and hardwood windows, doors, conservatories and roof line.

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December 2023

FIREPLACE & MEDIA WALL SPECIALISTS

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WE OFFER THE HIGH QUALITY OUR CUSTOMERS EXPECT WE OFFER THE HIGH QUALITY OUR CUSTOMERS EXPECT Our showroom features a large selection of Electric fires on display Highgate is one of the largest garden furniture and leisure showrooms selected from the best brands for your fireplace & media wall. in Essex and we only work with brands that we trust. We have ample

parking for ourfurniture customers.

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December 2023

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29

BUSINESS OF THE MONTH

¯

WHITE CHRISTMAS

a window or door to see how the locking systems work for example, or to pick up and touch the many window samples that showcase the variety of colours and finishes available, all helps when making such an important purchase. You can also see the range of door furniture available or see the coloured finishes of the window handle options.

WINDOWS AND DOORS TO HE COLD

Good old Trust in the

fashioned service!

No obligation to buy experience and

I

expertise of Climatec Home Improvements Ltd

t’s hard not to spot a Climatec Home Improvements van in and around Southend, seeing their fitting teams installing new windows and doors in homes near you and possibly giving you inspiration for a home makeover too?

The team at Climatec Home Improvements are on hand to help make your buying decisions easier, offering you a home visit to discuss your requirements or an appointment to meet at their showroom. There is a good ts we are certain you’ll find those window selection of brochures for you to peruse, perfect reason to stay indoors but if you wantthis to seewinter. the products first hand both the aluminium and uPVC shes for the New Year to all.can help you to better showrooms understand and what will stylere-open and choices are from Thursday 21st December available.

Beingus able open and close r website for inspiration and drop antoemail

return in the new year.

Climatec Home Improvements

There is no obligation to buy from Climatec, no pressure selling or persistent sales calls, you just get a good old fashioned service with none of the nonsense expected from that old school window salesman.

If you do decide to visit their showroom, you’ll also hear the sounds of windows and doors being made, because the factories surrounding Climatec’s showrooms manufacture these products too!

Why not visit www.climatec-hi.co.uk and have a look at the many installation photos in the gallery on the website, or simply call on 01702 447600 to discuss further.

Climatec’s offices and showrooms will be closed from Thursday 21 December and will re-open again on Tuesday 2nd January 2024. You can still drop the team an email at chi@climatec-hi.co.uk and this will be picked up as soon as they are back in the New Year.

Climatec Home Improvements Ltd is part of the Climatec Group Fletchers Square, Temple Farm Industrial Estate, Southend-on-Sea, Essex SS2 5RN 30

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December 2023

As Christmas approaches we reflect on the generosity and support of our local community At almost the halfway point of our two-year £600,000 Spotlight Radiotherapy Appeal we thank every individual, organisation and group for all that has been done to better the experience of oncology patients across mid and south Essex We wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year To find out more, get involved or to attend one of our events, visit: www.spotlightappeal.org @SouthendHospCF

G CA O S L H D A PA N ID D S FO IL R V E R

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Winter Sale! (in store only)

118 Hamlet Court Road, Westcliff-on-Sea, Essex SS0 7LP December 2023

Tel: 01702 343726 www.aaronlyonsgoldsmith.co.uk email: aaron.lyons@yahoo.co.uk

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December 2023

December 2023

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33

MP'S COLUMN

Commemorating Southend’s incredible service

I

t is often difficult to write about November without my mind turning to the remembrance services which populate a particular weeked in November. This year, it felt particularly pertinent at a time of conflict to be able to commemorate the incredible servicemen and women who gave their lives in both the First and Second World Wars, and in subsequent conflicts.

by Anna Firth MP

Conservative MP for Southend West anna.firth.mp @parliament.uk

I was particularly fortunate to be able to visit a number of wonderful services and commemorative events throughout the local community, including the incredible military parade at the Southend Cenotaph, where after readings, we heard hymns and musical contributions by the Southend Citadel Band of the Salvation Army and Southend Choir. I was hugely honoured to also attend services at Southend High School for Boys and St Michaels, where I was so impressed by the strength and sensibility of our young people.

We are so fortunate Sacrifices were made by those throughout Southend, both within and

Grateful for such sacrifice I was also honoured to read Rupert Brooke’s ‘The Soldier’ at St Clement’s Church on Remembrance Sunday, and am reminded of those final lines – there is some corner of a foreign field / that is for ever England.’ On Remembrance Sunday and always, I am so grateful for such sacrifice.

34

outside of active military service. We have incredible heritage in Southend, which we should always celebrate – including the 6 Dunkirk Little Ships which sailed from Leigh, rescuing over 1000 Troops. We are so fortunate to still have the Endeavour with us as a living reminder of this sacrifice. I am reminded of the old adage, ‘never was so much given by so many’, which stands strong today.

A medal from the King It was, in that spirit, a particular joy to be able to see Godfrey Hunt, who has finally received a medal from the King for his nuclear testing work as a civilian scientist in Maralinga in South Australia after the Second World War. Following Mr Hunt’s raising this with me, I was able to bring the matter to the attention of Johnny Mercer, Minister for Veteran’s Affairs, and secure his promise to deliver the medal in time for Remembrance Sunday. It was wonderful to see Mr Hunt able to wear it this weekend.

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December 2023

Everybody needs good neighbours… and a good accountant!

We’ve moved into a new office!

“We are delighted to have moved to our new offices in Britannia Business Park and are pleased to continue to be part of the local business community. If we can help you in any way please get in touch” Paul East, Office Managing Partner

Please do get in touch, or pop in for a coffee, to say hello! hello@azets.co.uk 01702 348646 7-8 Britannia Business Park, Comet Way, Southend on Sea, Essex, SS2 6GE

#AzetsSMEChampions azets.co.uk

December 2023

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35

AMAZING WINTER OFFERS Contact for more info

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December 2023

¯WE’RE DREAMING OF A WHITE CHRISTMAS¯ ESPECIALLY WITH CLIMATEC’S WINDOWS AND DOORS TO KEEP OUT THE COLD

Trust in the experience and expertise of Climatec Home Improvements Ltd

With our high security, energy efficient products we are certain you’ll find those window and door improvements that will give you the perfect reason to stay indoors this winter.

Season’s Greetings! And best wishes for the New Year to all.

Please note our offices and showrooms will be closed from Thursday 21st December and will re-open on Tuesday 2nd January 2024. You can still visit our website for inspiration and drop us an email which will be actioned on our return in the new year.

www.climatec-hi.co.uk

Climatec

01702 447600

Home Improvements

Installsure logos, colours and typeface

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WE FIT THEM

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Typeface: Myriad Pro Light, Myriad Pro Regular, Myriad Pro Semibold, Myriad Pro Bold

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BLOCK PAVING DRIVEWAYS Facebook facebook.com/brooks.paving PATIOS & PATHS PONDS & POOLS FREE ESTIMATES ALL WORK GUARANTEED Find us on

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sales : 01702 334353 lettings : 01702 390990

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December 2023

CLASSIFIED Established in 1979

Established in 1979

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>> CALL: 01702 431 946 WWW.SOUTHENDMOT.CO.UK Unit 1, Southend Central Station,

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Specialising In

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39

HEALTH & WELLBEING

Keep yourself at your mental peak with some of this guidance...

W

e have seen some clients in clinic recently struggling with SAD - Seasonal Affective Disorder, or winter depression. As winter is upon us and the days are getting shorter, some people may feel they are struggling physically and mentally.

Around 2 million people in the UK are affected and find themselves having more apparent symptoms during the winter.

If you are struggling, there are a few things that may help. Make some small changes one at a time, don't be disheartened if some things aren't for you, take note of those things that work for you.

Focus on the positives l Try to get out in the daylight. Spend some time outdoors. I find a little walking therapy helps me focus on the present and makes me feel energised. l Try to get some company and talk to others. Having interactions with others can boost our mood, whether this be over the phone or face to face. l Eat regular healthy meals. Having 40

something you enjoy will fuel your body and mind. l Find a good home/work life balance.

Do something you enjoy regularly whether that be an outside activity like yoga or a class at home in your living room. Manage your stress levels as best as you can. l Focus on the positives, find something each day that has gone well or made you smile.

Make one small change at a time rather than changing everything at once.

Remember it is ok to not be ok. If you are struggling to cope please see your GP. Enjoy the blessings of the winter solstice this season and every day. Embrace the good things and when you're feeling low, remember these pointers.

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www.thesportsrehablab.com

01702 410 761 Garon Park, Eastern Avenue, Southend-on-Sea, SS2 4FA

December 2023

Paul’s Gardening Services

 D ESCE ORVR IATC EI NS G 

A friendly, family-run business Very competitive quotes (with concessions)

● GARDEN MAINTENANCE From weekly weekly visits visits to to total total clearouts clearouts From

● TREES FELLED & TOPPED

ESTABLISHED 1985 l FULL INSURED

Hedges also also trimmed trimmed Hedges

● SPECIALISTS IN LAWNS

Weed removal, removal, give give itit aa feed, feed, make make itit green green Weed

● SHEDS & FENCES Repaired and and preserved preserved Repaired

● WOODCHIP & LOGS Delivered & & Distributed Distributed Delivered

● STUMP GRINDING ● LAWN MOWER REPAIR Full repair repair & & servicing servicing Full

Give us a call and see how we can help!

Phone Paul on 07957 388285 or freefone 0800 043 3913 e: paulthegardener@hotmail.com

52 Kimberley Road, Little Wakering, Southend-On-Sea, Essex SS3 0JP Tel: 01702 216944 Mob: 07967 568255 Email: jason@jacoxdecorating.com Web: www.jacoxdecorating.com

Est. 1994 1994 –– Recommendations Recommendations & & references references available available Est.

GAS ● PLUMBING ● HEATING

 All boilers Serviced and Repaired  Condensing Boilers and Warm-Air Units  All work undertaken including: Leaks, Upgrades & Installations  No Call-out Charge  OAP discounts available  Full public liability insurance  Fully Qualified Engineers

A professional family-run business.

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From a tap washer to a full heating system, call:

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email: hammondandsons@hotmail.co.uk www.hammondandsons.co.uk December 2023

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OAP’s 20%

Goodwill reduction 41

PAINTING & DECORATING COMMERCIAL & DOMESTIC Interior & Exterior

New website now live!

Over 30 years experience Local, Reliable and Trustworthy

Established connections to local building trades High Quality service guaranteed References available upon request Fully Insured Experience of hanging all wallcoverings No job too small!

GMH Renovations tel: 01702 307 233 mob: 07775 500 420

email: ghenrym65@gmail.com 58 Yarnacott, Shoeburyness SS3 8AP www.gmhrenovations.co.uk

42

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December 2023

YOUR NO.1 CHOICE FOR BATHROOM & SHOWER SUPPLIES

01702 463363 www.stannsbuildingsupplies.co.uk Bentalls Close, Sutton Road, Southend-on-Sea SS2 5PT

December 2023

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43

DMB

ELECTRIC

Over 27 years experience DOMESTIC ELECTRICAL CONTRACTORS

All Domestic Work undertaken Garden Power and Lighting From Single Switch to Full Rewire Electric Vehicle Charging Points Extra Sockets and Lights Fuse Board Upgrades Full Testing and Fault Service Fully Insured and Guaranteed

FREE QUOTATIONS ON REQUEST

Call David Bird on:

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ŶĐĂƉƐƵůĂƚŝŽŶ ŽĨ ĞdžŝƐƚŝŶŐ ƚƌĂĚŝƚŝŽŶĂů ƐƚĂŝŶĞĚ ŐůĂƐƐ͘ džŝƐƚŝŶŐ ƐƚĂŝŶĞĚ ŐůĂƐƐ ŚĞƌŵĞƚŝĐĂůůLJ ƐĞĂůĞĚ ďĞƚǁĞĞŶ Ϯ ƉĂŶĞƐ ŽĨ ŐůĂƐƐ ĨŽƌ ďĞƚƚĞƌ ĞŶĞƌŐLJ ĞĨĨŝĐŝĞŶĐLJ ĂŶĚ ƉƌŽƚĞĐƚŝŽŶ͘ dŚŝƐ ĐĂŶ ďĞ ŝŶƐƚĂůůĞĚ ďĂĐŬ ŝŶƚŽ ĞdžŝƐƚŝŶŐ ĨƌĂŵĞƐ Žƌ ŝŶƚŽ ŶĞǁ ĞŶĞƌŐLJ ĞĨĨŝĐŝĞŶƚ ƉǀĐƵ ĚŽƵďůĞ ŐůĂnjŝŶŐ͕ <ĞĞƉŝŶŐ ƚŚĞ ĐŚĂƌĂĐƚĞƌ ĂŶĚ ĐŚĂƌŵ ŽĨ LJŽƵƌ ƚƌĂĚŝƚŝŽŶĂů ƐƚĂŝŶĞĚͲŐůĂƐƐ ǁŝŶĚŽǁƐ͘ ^ƚĂŝŶĞĚ ŐůĂƐƐ ƌĞƉĂŝƌƐ ĞƐƉŽŬĞ ĚĞƐŝŐŶƐ͘

&Žƌ ŝŶĨŽƌŵĂƚŝŽŶ ĂŶĚ ĨƌĞĞ ƋƵŽƚĂƚŝŽŶ ƉůĞĂƐĞ ĐŽŶƚĂĐƚ ƌƚŝƐĂŶ ƐƚĂŝŶĞĚ ŐůĂƐƐ͖ ϬϭϮϲϴ ϳϲϰϵϭϳͲ Ϭϳϵϳϳ ϴϳϲϲϯϯ ĞŵĂŝů͖ ĂƌƚŝƐĂŶƐƚĂŝŶĞĚŐůĂƐƐΛŽƵƚůŽŽŬ͘ĐŽŵ͘ ĂƌƚŝƐĂŶ͘ƐƚĂŝŶĞĚ͘ŐůĂƐƐϭ

44

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December 2023

Essex’s Leading Blind, Awning & Interior Shutter Specialists for over 100 Years

Southend 01702 467581

• Factory Showroom with Free Parking

• Custom-Made Window Shutters

• Large Luxaflex Inspiration Display

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• Roller Garage Doors

• All types of Interior Window Blinds

• Home & Commercial

As a local company we offer a wide choice of Blinds, Shutters & Awnings with competitive prices all year, plus FREE no obligation quotations

www.worthblinds.com | sales@worthblinds.com Unit 13 Parkside Centre, Potters Way, Temple Farm Industrial Est, Southend SS2 5SJ December 2023

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45

RECIPE

Lighter Chocolate Log

C

ompared with a classic chocolate log recipe, this contains about half the calories. Light mascarpone and quark replace butter and cream. It’s a lovely moist cake and light without being sickly sweet. Enjoy

by Judy Barden Next month’s recipe: 'Healthy Beef Chow Mein'' INGREDIENTS (For the cake) 1 tsp instant coffeegranules 4 eggs, at room temperature 85/3ozg golden caster sugar, plus extra for rolling 50g/2oz light muscovado sugar 120g/4 ½ oz self-raising flour 2 tbsp cocoa powder (For the chocolate icing) 50g/2oz plain chocolate, 70% cocoa solids, very finely chopped 250g/9oz mascarponelight 140g/5oz quark 50g/2oz icing sugar 1 ½ tbsp cocoa powder 1 tsp instant coffeegranules ½ tsp vanilla extract holly sprigs to decorate Heat oven to 190C/170C fan/gas 5. Lightly oil and line a 23 x 32cm Swiss roll tin with baking paper. Mix the coffee with 1 tbsp warm water. Beat the eggs, both sugars and the coffee mix together in a large mixing bowl with an electric whisk for about 8 mins or until the mixture is thick and airy like meringue and holds a trail when you lift up the beaters.

Sift the flour and cocoa powder over the fluffy egg mix, then fold in very gently using a large metal spoon. Pour the mixture evenly into the lined tin and carefully tip it so it spreads evenly without being deflated. Use a knife if necessary to very gently tease

it into the corners. Bake for 12-15 mins or until the cake feels spongy but firm when touched.

Lay a sheet of baking paper on the work surface and sprinkle with a little caster sugar. Tip the tin upside-down onto the paper and let the cake fall out. Carefully peel off the paper. Roll up the cake lengthways from one of the short ends with the help of the paper, rolling it inside so the cake doesn’t stick. Cool. The cake becomes even more moist if left overnight wrapped up, then iced the next day.

For the chocolate icing, put the chopped chocolate in a medium bowl. Heat a small pan of water (one-third full) until boiling, remove it from the heat, then sit the bowl of chocolate over the top. Leave for a few mins off the heat until melted. Remove the bowl from the pan, then leave the chocolate until it is cool to the touch. Beat the mascarpone and quark together, then sift and stir in the icing sugar and cocoa powder. Stir in the cooled melted chocolate (keeping a couple of tsp back for drizzling), then the coffee mixed with the vanilla extract.

Carefully unroll the cake, don’t worry if it cracks a bit, and discard the paper. Spread half the icing over the unrolled cake, then re-roll it, finishing with the join underneath. Place the cake on a serving plate. Swirl the rest of the icing all over the cake to cover it, then drizzle over the reserved melted chocolate. Decorate with a sprig of holly.

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