Oracle on-Sea Jan 2016 by Oracle Publications

January 2016

Your all-seeing local

ORACLE

Leigh, Chalkwell, Westcliff & Southend Conservation Area

New Year, NEW LOOK Oracle!

The New SUFC stadium debate continues â&#x20AC;Ś

GO WITH YOUR GUT. Fully loaded with MINI Navigation System, MINI Connected and distinctive looks as standard. With space for five and a range of advanced TwinPower Turbo petrol and diesel engines, the stunning new MINI Clubman creates a powerful feeling that makes perfect sense. Pre-book a test drive* at www.fairfieldmini.co.uk/contact-us Fairfield Arterial Road, Eastwood Leigh-on-Sea SS9 4XX Tel: 01702 429429

THE NEW MINI CLUBMAN AVAILABLE NOW. Official Fuel Economy Figures for the new MINI Clubman Range: Urban 35.3-60.1 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.

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January 2016 12/11/2015 16:30

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LOOKING FOR AN ACCOUNTANT?

WELCOME

.....then call Colin Taylor NOW!

Still thinking about making a New Year Resolution? Perhaps you want to do something for the community or a local charity this year? There are so many unsung heroes in the local community who are not publicly recognised for their huge, charitable contributions and Oracle felt it time to put the record straight. Each month, our new Community Spirit Award will highlight and showcase individuals, teams, clubs or businesses and give them the recognition that they deserve, so I am inviting you to send in nominations with a brief explanation to info@oraclepublications.co.uk. Remember, no good deed is too small â&#x20AC;&#x201C; it's a big heart that counts. Read further to see why Craig Smith of Grateful Heads has been nominated this month's hero. Last month, Cllr Ron Woodley invited readers to send in their opinions on the proposed plans for SUFC new stadium and leisure facilities. The response from readers to Oracle was overwhelming and I am pleased to say that this month Ron Martin (SUFC Chair) has responded to Cllr Woodley's article. A selection of readersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; letters on this subject have also been printed on this month's Local Letters page. A New Year and a brand new design for Oracle! I hope you will agree that the fresh, clean look has brought Oracle up-to-date for 2016.

For help and advice with:

Self Assessment Tax Returns Accounts Bookkeeping VAT Payroll / RTI Tax Planning CIS Refunds TAYLORS CHARTERED ACCOUNTANTS

01702 552008 colin.tca@virgin.net

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Painter and Decorator

Lastly, a happy and healthy New Year to you and thank you for your continued support.

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ORACLE 3

Got a Pest?

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Local issues by Samaritans

RSPH Level 2 qualified Fully Insured 3rd Party liability Insured Professional Indemnity Domestic and Commercial PAY NO VAT! (save 20%) For FREE survey or information, please call Steve Cleare

Tackling the debate on new ground 14 Sports news by Ron Martin (Chair SUFC)

NEW! Oracle Community Spirit Award 18 Recognising our local heroes

New Year Resolutions Revolution

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Salon advice by Craig Smith

Keeping up the good work

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Council news by Cllr Ron Woodley

Bolognese with Vegetable Spaghetti 34 Judy's recipe page

Local Letters

Residents have their say

Brainbox 38 What's On 44 Phonebook 48 Directory 50 Advertorials Pride & Joy Classic Cars 7 Cliff House Clinic 24 Oracle Publications 26/27 Oracle Estate Planning 49

Antique and modern reupholstery french polishing & repair service, pub club & hotel work undertaken Ercol, Cintique, Parker Knoll

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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.

ORACLE

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ORACLE 5

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ORACLE

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Advertorial

Caring for your Pride & Joy Repairing, restoring and servicing classic automobiles is a labour of love for Tim Milbank and his specialist team.

A Rolls by any other name

It is perhaps unsurprising he named his Southendbased business, ‘Pride & Joy’. ‘A car may need a couple of days’ work or a couple of years’!’ says Tim, ‘From a simple, performance-enhancing oil change to a complete rebuild, we source original or superior replacement parts. What isn’t available we challenge ourselves to manufacture to original specification.’

But it’s not just high-rollers that need TLC: ‘Every car deserves TLC. We set out to achieve a high standard of workmanship be it on a Morris Minor, Jaguar E-type or a coach-built Bentley. Collecting is becoming more popular and you can get started with as little as £2,000. People are usually nostalgic for the car their dad or first boss owned but 70s Fords and Golf GTis are now highly sought-after and the anniversary of Back to the Future, has caused a resurgence in interest for DeLoreans.’

This has led to requests for more diverse parts other than panel fabrication or mechanical engineering: ‘One customer wanted a new and authentic H.J. Mulliner rubber floor mat. The existing one had worn so we had to reverse engineer the process, taking the time to hand carve the pattern and lettering. Another customer required the original sun visor clips for his car. He got them, of course.’

To meet the demand, Tim is expanding his facility to offer vehicle storage for collectors who want a little extra space at home: ‘We now offer a collection, storage and concierge service that you simply cannot get elsewhere – tailor-made to our customers needs and working hours. At short notice, busy clients can have their vehicle waiting on their driveway in pristine condition and ready to go.’

Safety became paramount for Tim when another driver called for him to indicate: ‘She simply hadn’t seen the old semaphore indicators (trafficators) before and didn’t know what they were! Now we always try to improve the safety features of vehicles whilst maintaining the originality. For instance, we might conceal modern indicators in existing fog lamps. In the case of tyres, we are agents for Blockley tyres which look in period but provide more control in adverse conditions.’

Tim and his team have a knowledge and passion for classic cars. 'We have a combined experience of well over 150 years, our enthusiasm leads to our thirst for greater knowledge in historic research and in seeking new products to enhance our customers motoring experience.’ Safe hands, indeed, for your very own pride and joy.

Their attention to detail won the owners of a rare 1957 S1 Bentley Continental Fastback (pictured) not one but three awards, including the coveted Overall Concours Winner Trophy for best car.

01702 615999 email:info@prideandjoyclassiccars.com www.prideandjoyclassiccars.com

January 2016

ORACLE 7

25 Years’ Experience

ORACLE

January 2016

local issues

You are not alone The Samaritans is a national charity with 201 branches in the UK and ROI, however, in the local community we have our own branch in York Road, Southend-on-Sea with 68 volunteers, including 8 support volunteers who help in our shop in Westcliff and also with administration in the Branch. Some have been volunteers in excess of 30 years, which shows their dedication, and for that I am truly thankful.

Back in September we launched a ‘free to call’ number – 116 123 – thanks to support from the Big Lottery Fund and Vodafone, and the co-operation of the major telecommunications companies. This number will enable more people, who may be struggling to cope, to access the vital service we provide. It will not appear on people’s phone bill and will, therefore, give complete confidentiality – something we pride ourselves on. Ruth Sutherland, Samaritans’ CEO said, ‘We know that call charges can be a barrier to accessing our service, potentially preventing some people from contacting Samaritans when they need us most.’ Hopefully with the launch of this number these barriers will be broken down.

Southend Branch first opened in the 1960s and the branch and organization has gone from strength to strength. The branch is totally volunteer led and we rely on local fundraising in order to work in the community, running both the Branch and Shop, and answering our calls.

Our vision is to reduce the number of suicides in the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland.

Every second counts

• There are 18 suicides a day. • In 2014 6,200 men took their lives, making this the UK’s biggest killer of men.

When you’re at the end of the line,

• Men are 3 times more likely than women to take

we’re just at the end of the line

•

their own lives.

In 2014 the organization took 15 million calls, with Southend Branch alone answering more than 14,500 calls. We are there for our callers every day of the year, at whatever time people choose to call. We are non-judgmental, confidential and are there to talk about whatever you choose. We offer emotional support when you need it the most.

January 2016

Every 6 seconds, someone makes contact with Samaritans.

• Every 11 seconds, Samaritans receives a contact in which someone feels able to speak, type or write about their feelings.

• Every 48 seconds, Samaritans receives a contact from someone who has suicidal feelings.

ORACLE 9

You need us, we need you We are currently the Mayors Charity for 2015/2016 and are working in the community to raise our profile. We are always in search of new volunteers, so if you feel you can offer any time, between 12–16 hours a month, please contact us at: southendsams@btconnect.com. There are no fixed criteria, so long as you are over 18 years of age. We are always there to support the community however we can.

We are needed more than ever to allow our callers to speak when life is difficult for them. Our callers can contact us by phone, email, SMS or pop into the branch and see someone face to face.

Talk of the town In Southend we work in the community in a variety of ways. We have a partnership with the Job Centre taking referral calls and are looking to expand this across the region. We are involved in Outreach, in numerous ways attending Leigh Lights and having a presence in the High Street on occasion. We also offer presentations for local organizations, including WI Groups, Ladies Groups, Rotary and Round Table groups. We support in local schools, both primary and secondary, and continue supporting the Network Rail Partnership attending stations in the area when in need of our support due to an incident.

Always remember – Samaritans is here round the clock, every single day of the year, to listen and offer confidential support when things are getting to you. Call us, email us or visit us using the details below.

Facing the future Another partnership we are piloting in the local community is Facing the Future. This is a pilot service delivered by Samaritans a nd Cruse Bereavement Care to help support people bereaved by suicide, in Southend we are one if the few branches around the country who are involved in this. More information can be found on the F acing the Future Website, www.facingthefuturegroups.org, which is where members of the public can register their interest or can email: info@facingthefuturegroups.org.

SOUTHEND ON SEA

Samaritans Southend Branch Tel: 116 123 Email: jo@samaritans.org SMS: 07725 909090 154 York Road, Southend-on-Sea SS1 2DZ

ORACLE

January 2016

ORACLE 11

Come & try our new Pilates classes... Mat Pilates Fundamental (beginner) & Intermediate levels See an improvement in your range of motion, flexibility, circulation, posture and abdominal strength and decreases in back, neck and joint pain with this mat based class. We also offer mat Pilates Teacher L3 Course – visit bodyblissacademy.co.uk for more details.

Total Barre A ballet-inspired class mixing elements of Pilates, dance, yoga and functional training choreographed to motivating music. In each energizing and targeted workout, you’ll use the barre and exercise equipment such as mini-balls and small hand weights to sculpt, slim and stretch your entire body.

Reformer Using a reformer machine, this class is generally more intense and more dynamic than mat Pilates as it adds resistance to the exercises. Ideal for building and toning muscles as well increasing stability through the joints.

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ORACLE 13

SPORT

Tackling the debate on new ground

Following the article by Ron Woodley, Leader of the Council, about Southend’s proposed new football stadium (in December’s Oracle), SUFC would like to make the following statement:

Benefits can be summarised by the following points:

The proposals being advanced with British land are the best opportunity yet for SUFC to build a new stadium. Roots Hall is no longer ‘fit for purpose’ in the modern, financially driven, world of football. Without a new stadium the club will always be in the lower leagues requiring major financial investment, year on year, in order to compete.

•

My ambition is for SUFC to fulfil its potential. This cannot be achieved at Roots Hall.

•

purpose’.

SUFC needs new, modern facilities to survive and thrive.

• To attract top management and players the club has to have equivalent facilities.

A new stadium will put Southend on the football map.

• The town will receive considerable economic and •

employment benefits from the investment.

The development will keep shoppers in Southend by the provision of new and attractive shopping and leisure facilities.

• Nothing succeeds like success – give the Blues a chance.

Southend has a population of some 173,000, Rochford and Castlepoint together, 238,000, and there are circa 650,000 within a 30 minute drive time. With no immediate competition nearby, the opportunity to grow is clear for all to see.

I thank you for taking the time to engage with this request from the Leader of the Council and for our part the Club will keep all supporters advised of progress including when the planning application will be considered by members of the council.

Phil Brown has committed to SUFC as he too recognises what the club can achieve. This is our time to put Southend United on the football map.

Ron Martin Southend United Chairman

Stand united Now is a key moment in the future of Southend United and I am asking all Blues supporters to respond to the Leader of the Council by providing their views. This can be done by emailing: info@oraclepublications.co.uk

• Roots Hall, built in 1955, is no longer ‘fit for

08444 770077 Southend United Football Club www.southendunited.co.uk Roots Hall Stadium, Victoria Avenue, Southend-on-Sea, Essex SS2 6NQ

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January 2016

ORACLE 15

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January 2016

ORACLE 17

community

Oracle Community Spirit Award

To mark its 10th anniversary, Oracle introduced its Community Spirit Award to recognise those among us who go above and beyond to make our community a better place. First up is Craig Smith of Grateful Heads Hair Salon who will apparently go to any lengths … ‘It’s the worst thing you could ever do!’, warned Craig’s friend, neighbour and soon to be trainer, Dalia. Until then, Craig’s charity fund-raising efforts had consisted of relatively sedate activites, such as sponsored walks, or shaving off his once lengthy head of hair, but now his sights were set on a more demanding challenge – the 2012 London Marathon. Not to be deterred, Craig set to training, losing 4 stone in the process. He completed the 26 miles in just over 5 hours, passing the diving suit guy and TOWIE’s ‘Arg’ but most importantly, successfully raising £2,000 in aid of cystic fibrosis. ‘I loved it!’ says Craig, ‘It gave me a buzz to do more.’

Moving mountains Taking into his employment, Joseph – a young man with CF, Craig decided to focus his attention on more local charities such as the Southend Cystic Fibrosis Association, to be sure that the monies raised would be of direct benefit to those in need. Then, in 2014, Craig helped Joseph follow his dream to climb Mount Kilimanjaro, a gruelling 6-day climb

reaching heights of nearly 6,000m and temperatures of –22°C. ‘I remember thinking, I just want to get off this mountain!’ says Craig, ‘These challenges are physically demanding but it’s the mental battle to keep going that’s the hard part’. Unfortunately, it would be the physical side that ended Joseph’s dreams, as he experienced breathing difficulties at the final base camp and had to turn back. Not before raising £11,000 though – a new high for Craig. One month later and Craig was back in training for the 2015 London Marathon, in which he raised a further £3,500 and bettered his time by 18 minutes.

Going the extra mile From fashion shows, live music, curry and quiz nights to hundreds of runs and bike rides, Craig has raised tens of thousands for local charities and clearly enjoys doing it – ‘Brentwood to Brussels was fun’, he quips, ‘a 400 mile cycle in 4 days and it rained the entire time!’ And he isn’t stopping – next are the London to Southend and London to Paris bike rides, the Southend 10k, Leigh 10k, 3 Peaks and in 2017, a 600 mile cycle from the Grand Canyon to Las Vegas! ‘I’m touched to receive this award,’ says Craig, ‘Obviously I don’t do it for recognition but some charities can seem to overlook the hard work that supporters put in. Getting a little thanks now and then is really motivating.’

Do you know someone with outstanding community spirit that deserves to be recognised? Send nominations to: info@oraclepublications.co.uk with a short explanation. No deeds are too small – it’s a big heart that counts.

ORACLE

January 2016

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• GCSE & SATS revision classes • Maths problem solving • Creative writing skills • Individualised study programmes to suit all ages GCSE, SATS and Local Entrance Exams Leigh Community Centre, 71-73 Elm Road, Leigh, SS9 1SP Mondays & Tuesdays 3.30pm-5.30pm 11+ preparation from year 4, GCSE maths and English Contact: David & Lorraine Stamp t: 07985 770460 e: leigh@firstclasslearning.co.uk w: www.firstclasslearning.co.uk

January 2016

ORACLE 19

A whopping 50%* off c2c weekday off-peak return tickets when you travel in January.

Exclusive online deal, just book 3 days or more in advance at c2c-online.co.uk *Terms apply

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ORACLE

15/12/2015 16:06 January 2016

January 2016

ORACLE 21

SALON

New Year Resolutions Revolution

As the strains of Auld Lang Syne fade out and the hangover kicks in, we can’t stop ourselves from making New Year Resolutions. Of course, we all want to look and feel fabulous and January 1st is the perfect time to seize your ‘out with the old, in with the new’ attitude. It’s just maintaining it that can be the problem. But why make a mere resolution, when you can start a revolution?

Revolution not evolution Resolve to stop thinking about fashion as something that other people do. It’s all about style and that comes from knowing what looks fabulous on you. Simple as. End of. Your body is what it is. If you want to lose weight, then great. But you have to commit and be patient. Diets generally don’t work but a healthy lifestyle always does. If, on the other hand, you can’t or don’t want to become a gym bunny, then do some wardrobe therapy and invest in items that look and make you feel fabulous.

Madonna. That doesn’t mean embracing grandad cardigans and A-line skirts. Dressing with flair and confidence, while using quality fabrics and flattering lines is the key.

Coup de tête Resolve to try something new. You don’t need to dye your hair bright blue but try a new style or colour. Talk it through with your stylist first and don’t be too radical. You don’t want to look like you’re having a ‘life episode’! If the skies overhead are grey then embrace colour. The January sales area great excuse to indulge yourself and inject some brights into your wardrobe and makeup bag. And while I’m at it, why not resolve for your 2016 to be a big dare? Do you dare to embrace your curly or straight hair? Do you dare to try a new cut and colour? Dare you say, it’s a New Year, so it’s time for a new me? Vive la révolution, vive 2016!

by Craig Smith Sponsored by

45 rpm (extended play) You know when you’ve had an eggnog too many and are told by the others to act your age? Well, dare I ask if you’re also dressing age-appropriately? You know the rules, no miniskirts over 40, no sleeveless tops over 50 and no nork-flashing, even if you’re

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ORACLE

January 2016

ORACLE 23

Advertorial

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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, make-up can be applied immediately after a treatment session.

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ORACLE

January 2016

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ORACLE 25

Turn up sales this year 2015 finished with quite a bang for Oracle as November's edition showcased its exponential growth over the last decade from bedroom startup to multifaceted company. This was then followed in December with coverage of its tenth anniversary party and launch of its very own book, Cooking-on-Sea, a charity recipe book with all proceeds going to HARP â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Southend's Homeless Charity, which, at the time of going to print with this issue, has already raised over ÂŁ2,500 and the amount is still climbing. Also, this month's magazine features a fresh, new look to further improve on the professional, highquality presentation standards that Oracle offers.

Well, it seems that in spite of these important developments in media consumption, the range of printed magazines continues to rise â&#x20AC;&#x201C; people simply enjoy their instant, tactile qualities. Whether it is while waiting for the doctor, getting your hair styled or at your friend's house while they're making the tea, we all reach out for the nearest magazine to find the latest conversation piece. Not only that, but consumers still continue to have the most trust in local advertising printed in magazines and newspapers. The power of the printed word from a recognised and reliable source still rings true and has great value when evaluating advertising.

Advertising is a piece of cake

With all of this positive feeling, it seems like a good time to remind businesses why they should choose to advertise in print and why they should let Oracle's experience, skills and passion help them to achieve similar success.

The X-factor Whether launching a new business or growing an existing one, there are so many factors to consider and savings on outgoing costs are all too important. Faced with a plethora of different ways to advertise, it can all look very daunting. With PCs, smart phones and iPads everywhere you look these days, all businesses must have an on-line presence, so why is it that we still love our print?

Touching isn't it?

The most important thing to remember when choosing which option to use for promoting your business is that there isn't just one option. A mixed media campaign, i.e. print media boosted with internet advertising would help reinforce the message you wish to convey to your potential customer. Customers like to feel they can trust the brand and seeing it more than once is very important to help create impactful awareness of your product or service. However, if this amount of spend is out of your budget and you are providing a local service rather than a global one, then a print campaign should be your first priority. I always try and explain this to my clients: imagine an area that you would like to target is like wanting a piece of cake and everybody is trying to get

ORACLE

January 2016

the largest slice. You need to concentrate your advertising – especially if on a budget – on a smaller area and reinforce and repeat that message over a period of time. In other words, repeating adverts over many months in one, smaller area has more impact than trying to reach a larger audience in a bigger area as the budget will be spread too thinly. This then means that your businesses share of the market will grow in that specific area, as potential clients will have seen your adverts over a number of months and grow in trust. Many of Oracle's long-term clients attribute their success to advertising with Oracle regularly, each month without fail.

Going … going … gone! Knowing the type of customers and the message you wish to convey is also key, therefore I can't recommend enough to research this when starting your business and before any advertising campaign. Don't fall in to the trap of buying something cheap if it doesn't reach your key audience, as you may as well be throwing your money down the drain. Once you have decided on the area and media to promote your business ensure that the advert says what you need it to say. Remember, consumers don't really care who you are, they want to know what you have to offer them. Consider offering a reader's discount on the advert, unique to that publication so that you can measure the response. Monitoring response to any advertising is important, however, as long as you have an advert that is clearly communicating your product or service, and you are targeting the correct market, and have added an offer or a gift, then you really should get some results once the advert has been running for a few months.

production, Oracle isn't treated in the same way as a newspaper might be. It can be kept for months and never get tatty or fall apart.

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shows, Oracle is always growing. You can't stop the market changing but you can lead the way! With brave editorial content that connects with its readers, Oracle has become a trusted source for local information and a mouth-piece too.

Consult the Oracle Feel free to give me a call to discuss how you might grow your business this year through advertising. I would be very happy to give you some free, noobligation advice. Let's get those sales turned up! by Emma Wynne-Morgan Publisher and Owner of Oracle Publications (UK) Ltd.

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With our own dedicated team of distributors, we can ensure that the magazines are delivered correctly and on-time and offer the unbeatable level of reliability that both our readers and advertisers require. Monthly publishing affords us time to create an exceptional quality product whilst keeping repeat adverts highly memorable.

January 2016

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ORACLE 27

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ORACLE 29

Keeping up the good work

council

I would like to take this opportunity to wish you all a Happy New Year.

was, quite understandably, low. Unforgivably, some employers were wasting public money and abusing the trust placed in them.

The 11+ results have been issued, showing that more and more Southend-on-Sea schoolchildren are taking the exam and being offered a grammar school place. Whilst we still have more work to do in this area we are heading in the right direction.

Easter eggheads Moving forward I have decided to open further free of charge ‘Holiday Schools’ for year 5, starting next Easter, to be held in local schools and the Civic Centre. Extra tuition in Maths and English will be available to give local children an opportunity to gain a place at the grammar schools. Once estab lished, we will start involving year 4 children and in the meantime primary school Headteachers should continue to work closely with the grammar schools to increase the number of local children passing, including those from disadvantaged backgrounds.

Although there are some very good apprenticeships, in certain areas changes are needed. Colleges need to start offering more employer-led apprenticeships which suit employers rather than the needs of the colleges and employers should be more proactive in voicing their specifications. Schools should start promoting apprenticeships through careers advice, in a positive way, working with young people to give them practical and employability skills, including those with educational needs and/or disabilities. Students should challenge the apprenticeship providers, seek answers to their questions, find out which one best suits them and what they can hope to achieve once it is completed. Finally, a quote from Steve Jobs:

You’re fired! For secondary school children who choose not to take the academic route of university, apprenticeships are available. In the past, the quality of some of these has been poor – some employers did not contribute fully to the training so there was no opportunity to develop new skills and attention was not paid to which areas had skills shortages. Apprentices were often employed but given tasks such as making coffee, serving sandwiches or cleaning floors. Pay was terrible and motivation

Work cut out for you

‘Your work is going to fill a large part of your life, and the only way to be truly satisfied is to do what you believe is great work. And the only way to do great work is to love what you do.’ by Cllr Ron Woodley

Leader of Southend-on-Sea Borough Council

01702 588662

ORACLE

January 2016

ORACLE 31

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 and Chris is finding that his approach is a major

factor in his success.‘The truth is that it’s not just the personal satisfaction that I get from doing a good job but also it makes good business sense. I get a huge amount of business from friends and family of people I’ve done work for,

which just goes to show how much a little bit of effort is appreciated.’ So, if your windows are steamed up, broken or damaged give Chris a call for a free quotation on 0800 61 21 118 and he’ll be happy to help!

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ORACLE

January 2016

ORACLE 33

food

Bolognese with Vegetable Spaghetti

A good way to cut down on calories in the new year is to replace pasta with vegetables. Spiralizers are all the rage but you can easily make this vegetable spaghetti with either the julienne blade on a processor or cutting thinly by hand. Top it with anything you want but a good bolognese works well and you feel you are having a substantial meal. Enjoy!

Ingredients (serves 4):

• Few squirts of oil spray or frylight • 400g extra lean steak mince • 1 tsp steak seasoning (Schwartz) • 1 red onion, chopped • 1 clove garlic, crushed • 1 celery stick, chopped • 1 red pepper, chopped • 100g mushrooms, sliced • 400g can cherry tomatoes • 3 tbsp tomato purée • 200ml red wine or beef stock For the spaghetti –

• 1 vegetable stock gel pot • 4 carrots • 4 courgettes 34

Method: 1. Heat a large non-stick frying pan and spray with a little oil. Add the onion and cook for 10 minutes over a medium heat. Turn the heat up a little, add the mince, some black pepper and the steak seasoning. Fry, stirring to break it up until it is brown all over. Stir in the garlic, celery, red pepper and mushrooms and cook for a further 2 minutes. 2. Pour in the tomatoes, tomato purée and red wine (or stock if you are being good!). Cover and simmer for 45 minutes until everything is tender. Meanwhile, put the stock pot into a large pan of 3. boiling water. Using a spiralizer, the julienne blade in your processor, a mandolin, or simply by hand, cut the courgette and carrots into fine strips. Add the carrots to the boiling stock first and cook for 1 minute, then add the courgettes and cook both for another 2 minutes. Drain and serve with the bolognese sauce and a few shavings of parmesan. by Judy Barden Next month: Indian Potato Pancakes Sponsored by:

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ORACLE 35

ORACLE

January 2016

ORACLE 37

brainbox

HOT SPOT – Where am I?

7 4

2 5

8 9

9 6

2 8

3 3

5 5

SUDOKU – Fill in the grid so

DIET

that every row, column and 3x3 box contains the numbers 1–9.

WORD LADDER – Climb the ladder, changing one letter each rung to make a new word.

TIME

CONUNDRUM – Unscramble to solve the clue.

Really positive signs Hopson Property Services

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Clue: Ring in the New Year! Last month’s solutions: WORD LADDER jollyhollyholey holeshaleshales haveseaveselves

6 3 2 1 7 9 8 4 5

8 9 5 3 6 4 7 2 1

7 1 4 5 2 8 3 6 9

5 7 6 2 8 1 9 3 4

2 8 1 9 4 3 5 7 6

3 4 9 6 5 7 1 8 2

9 6 7 4 3 5 2 1 8

1 2 3 8 9 6 4 5 7

4 5 8 7 1 2 6 9 3

ORACLE

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Your Stove is waiting for you! Photo for illustration purposes only

January 2016

ORACLE 39

Regarding y's Cllr Ron Woodle e article, 'A gam of two halves' (in le): December's Orac local letters Perhaps the most immediate reason for pushing this through is to create new jobs in Southend to try to counteract the repercussions of the impending departure of HM Revenue & Customs from Southend, causing the loss of approaching 2,000 jobs.

Dear Cllr Woodley, Firstly, I would like to say that I read your article in the Oracle with great interest and, along with many others, would like to thank you for the opportunity to have our voices heard. I firmly believe that Southend United are a club with a huge potential currently restricted by the faded, out-dated facilities that we currently have. The catchment area for this club is huge yet we are struggling to even scratch the surface of this as the current facilities we have are off-putting to some, especially when we have a premier club an hour's train journey away. There is also the potential to stage live shows and gigs inside the new stadium, which will draw in more crowds to the area, as well as providing an easy to access venue for the local residents. Our High Street has never looked empty to me – the car parks are always mostly full and the shops all seem the same. The draw of the seafront attracts day-trippers from neighbouring towns and all that travel by train have to walk through at least a small section of it. The retail units for the proposed development are not likely to be anything to threaten a High Street shop. The biggest threat to High Street shopping is the Internet. James Byford

Steve Wilson

on Road the estion in Eastern Avenue or Sutt If there is any additional cong congestion in Victoria Avenue ent curr the of some of benefit will be the reduction to Roots Hall now would s Hall. Some people who drive & the roads surrounding Root walk to Roots Hall might who e peopl some st whil nd be able to walk to the new grou . choose to drive to Fossetts Farm highways ing concerns about whether the last no had ly The Council apparent affected when they sanctioned be d woul t Stree High the could cope or whether issions given on the Airport or the planning perm the redevelopment of Southend also worth remembering is It . park il Reta d houn Airport Retail Park & the Grey d be appropriate for the a few years ago that it woul that the council also decided green field site on the a to re Cent Town the d from Town’s swimming pool to be move nd). grou new ned plan ’s to SUFC outskirts of Southend (very close John Fowler

I love Roots Hall because it is a traditional football stadium. Unfortunately though, there is no denying that it has had its day and that time has passed it by. Sad to say, but in the modern era of the game, it can no longer support a thriving football club such as SUFC. When we were in the Championship it strained at the seams to accommodate the number of people who wanted to attend games. Safety was never an issue but there was always a hint of an open invitation for something unthinkable to happen. With the club once again hovering just outside that division does anyone want to contemplate what might occur were the club's desire to move to a modern stadium be blocked?

James A Hopgood

Something on your mind?

Gary Beard

Just like to say I have been waiting years for this and I hope and pray I will be around to see it happen! Best of luck. From a loyal 79 year old Blues supporter since 1946.

Consult the Oracle by sending your letters to: info@oraclepublications.co.uk

ORACLE

January 2016

ORACLE 41

ORACLE

January 2016

ORACLE 43

WHAT’S ON Leigh Travel Club Celebrates 10 Years Wed 6th Jan at 7.30pm–9.30pm, meeting every first Wed at the Iveagh Hall, Leigh-on-Sea This month Julia Hammond presents 'Thrills and Spills – 10 Years of Travel'. For further information call Lynda on 01702 474475. Active 50+ Festival 13th Jan at 1.00pm–3.00pm, Southend Leisure & Tennis Centre, Garon Park An afternoon of fun activities for the over 50s. Get healthy, have fun and feel fantastic in 2016 with Active 50+. Dance Fit, Active Circuit, Zumba Gold, Walking Football, Short Tennis / Table Tennis, Free Health Checks, Seated Fitness, Latin Fit, Stretch & Tone. Call: 01702 567 327 www.activelife.uk.com Make & Do - Leigh Library 26th Jan, two sessions: 10:30am & 11:30am, Leigh Library, Broadway West, Leigh-on-Sea Family time, drop-in sessions for under 5s. Fun activities for all to share with the Bookstart Bear. Bring your child along to the library to share a FREE activity and a story. For more information contact the Bookstart team on 01702 212120. Thames Estuary Decorative & Fine Arts Society Meets every first Wed at The Freight House, Bradley Way, Rochford at 10.30am and 2.00pm We have an exciting programme on the Arts. Visitors welcome (£5) Further information 01702 479416 or 01268 771120. Women's Institute Southchurch Village Friends Meeting Every 2nd Monday, 7.30pm at The Hamstel Children & Families Centre, Hamstel Road.

ORACLE

January 2016

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ORACLE 45

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January 2016

ORACLE 47

Southend & District Pensioners Campaign Westcliff Poetry Prose Lyric Club Southend Anglo Italian Circle