Oracle on-Sea December 2017

December 2017

Your all-seeing local

OR CLE

Leigh, Chalkwell, Westcliff & Southend Conservation Area

WIN! C+F Studio boutique voucher worth £50!

RECIPE! Sausage Stuffing Cake for Christmas Day

Bye Bye back pain

LATEST! Revised Christmas Refuse Collection Dates

Turn to page 13 for our special offer...

Wall art in Southend High Street by Scotty Brave (@brave_arts)

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December 2017

ORACLE

WELCOME

How nice it is to see the town brightened up with so much festive wall art by local artists commissioned

by Southend Bid. We just had to show a piece off on the front cover!

Following on from last month’s article which highlighted the worrying situation of the UK’s nursing profession, this month Cllr Ron Woodley writes about mental illness in Southend .

Judy’s sausage stuffing cake recipe looks delicious and will be a great addition to your Christmas table. Also, Wendy Lee of Wine de Vine gives great suggestions on what to drink on Christmas day – not just wine, but also sherry and port.

This month’s competition prize has been donated by C+F Studio, 35 Alexandra Street, Southend SS1 1BW who welcome you to a personal shopping experience.

Win a £50 voucher and sample the very best of luxury boutique brands, internationally sourced.

To enter please send in your name and contact details to: Oracle/C+F Studio Competition, Oracle House, 11 Clarence Road, Southend, Essex SS1 1AN or email: info@oraclepublications.co.uk by 31st December 2017.

Finally, I would like to wish you all a very merry Christmas from all the Oracle team.

Happy holidays!

Emma Wynne-Morgan Publisher

01702 393838

Oracle House, 11 Clarence Road, Southend-on-Sea, Essex SS1 1AN www.oraclepublications.co.uk info@oraclepublications.co.uk Oracle Publications and Creative Media @oracle_essex Printed by Printwize Ltd, Witham CM8 3BN – 01376 500900

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Really positive signs Hopson Property Services

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CONTENTS MPs With Money On Their Minds

9/10

Local Issues by Cllr Ron Woodley

A Blog is For Life, Not Just For Christmas!

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Salon advice by Craig Smith

I’m Dreaming of a White, Red and Sparkling Christmas

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Latest from the grapevine by Wendy Lee

Christmas Refuse Collections Dates

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Sausage Stuffing Cake

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sales : 01702 334353 lettings : 01702 390990

e : info@hopsonproperty.co.uk w : hopsonproperty.co.uk

Judy’s Recipe Page

Your Money Or Your Life

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Money Talks with Clive Rowe

Brainbox 30 What’s On

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Useful Numbers

36

Advertiser Directory

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Advertorials Dental Care Group

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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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December 2017

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December 2017

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December 2017

LOCAL ISSUES

MPs with money on their minds Mental illness accounts for over 30% of the disease burden in the UK. In Southend the overall health and care budget is approximately £300 million, with the spend on mental health being £30 million. It seems that suddenly mental health issues are being given greater priority in the NHS, being politically led and part of a wider national policy.

Locally there are clear plans outlined once a person has been identified with mental health issues, which is a positive. However, we all need to think about what preventative measures can and should be taken to minimise what is a growing illness. This is an area where we should not just be educating the health professionals, but residents and family members too. Early recognition, stress reduction and removing stigma can have a more positive effect than treatment alone.

So why have national politicians suddenly decided that mental health should be given greater priority?

Have they woken up to the fact that mental health has a direct impact on overall productivity and therefore to the economy, and in Southend alone that equates to £135 million per year?

• Supplying decent housing • Giving all people opportunities for employment,

A mental note It should be recognised that people suffering from mental health issues need the full support of the NHS and, where necessary, any wider system changes that may be required to help prevent and respond to any escalating risk, ease access to help, aid in recovery and keep someone well. Although the financial constraints on the NHS are extreme, there needs to be a financial commitment, because the benefits to the local economy are greater than the cost, and the personal wellbeing of the patient extremely beneficial.

Identifying a small range of problems in society could have a considerably positive effect on people’s mental health and result in major savings in this sector. Beneficial actions could include:

•

either through education and/or apprenticeships

Stop encouraging young parents back into work too early through Government projects, such as the better start programmes (they don’t suit every parent, especially in some deprived areas)

• Not encouraging parents to start their child at

nursery or school too early, which can cause anxiety for both child and parent. Could this also include discouragement of forward-facing pushchairs/buggies, where the child only sees vehicles rushing at them, rather than the comforting face of their parent?

Not-so-good thinking The need to continue raising concerns about our hospital and local NHS is one of many, and

December 2017 www.oraclepublications.co.uk

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probably the most crucial, issue facing the residents of Southend-on-Sea. This follows on from last month’s article highlighting the dire state of the health service, the lack of recruitment and retention of staff, government funding, financial controls and the level of bureaucracy in running a service that is vital.

Unfortunately, what we have in this country are politicians who think they know best, and make changes for changes sake. These changes are based upon short-term benefits or their political ideologies, rather than the needs of the people who they are/were elected by to serve.

Now enter the bureaucrats – you know, the ones that politicians recruit to carry out and put in place the philosophies that they want implemented, whether or not those philosophies are suitable for the longer term. It is not the bureaucrats I’m concerned about per se, it is the considerable

cost – how many local residents know exactly how much is spent on bureaucracy and how much on the patients or the services mentioned above? Every pound spent on administration or a change in policy is a pound not spent on health and wellbeing. Politicians always seem to base their vision upon the short-term, the lifetime of a parliament or the next local election.

Mind – our own business I was elected as a Southend Councillor because residents in Thorpe Bay (including me) got fed up with our politicians. I am still fed up, especially by the way we as residents are being treated with contempt by the politicians and the bureaucrats on the so-called consultation about our local health service and the future of our hospital. If the current proposals are refused by us residents, I believe that our protest will be ignored and the bureaucrat’s plans will be implemented. This whole process is about saving money, about the lack of skilled people coming through the system and the lack of vision many years ago of how to tackle a growing population, the elderly, the young and the increasing problem with mental health, and the sad thing is that once again these so-called health professionals’ plans are only based upon the next five years.

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by Cllr Ron Woodley BERA Chairman and Independent Councillor for Thorpe Ward

01702 588662 e: ronwoodley@hotmail.co.uk 10

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December 2017

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December 2017

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SALON

A blog is for life, not just for Christmas!

The ubiquity of smartphones means that having your picture taken and it then being shared on social media almost immediately is inevitable.

Unfortunately, when it’s first thing on Christmas morning and you’re still in your jim-jams, your snaps can end up making you look less Christmas angel and more Christmas turkey!

tresses a spritz and then scrunch. This gives you the look of effortless beachy waves – the perfect look for our part of the world!

Nice Alternatively, if you want to look like a princess as you open your presents – and we all do – then this next style is fabulous:

But not if you follow these simple tips to help you to look red carpet glam in mere minutes:

Starting about 2” away from your parting, plait a 1” section of hair all the way down to the tip. Repeat the process on the opposite side. Once you’ve created your braids, pull your hair back to create a ponytail, then pull your plaits back into the ponytail and secure with a hair tie.

If you want to go a step further, take a hair bun maker and place it at the base of your ponytail. Then wrap your hair around the bun maker and pin it in place.

Naughty First, take a hair band and place it just behind your ears, pin it in place if need be. Then plait a large section of hair from the front of your hairline and braid it until it reaches your ponytail. Once it is all plaited together, gather it and secure it with a hair tie. Et voila, you’re done!

It’s not super sleek but if you have a houseful of guests or kids to cater for, this is a chic and practical look that helps you to look fantastic in photos, while out-shining Nigella in the kitchen.

If you have long hair, which is naturally curly or wavy when you wake up, run your fingers through any areas that have become frizzy and tame them a little. Now take some ‘beach’ hairspray and give your

Just remember when posting your selfies online – a blog is for life, not just for Christmas!

O

by Craig Smith

Director of Grateful Heads Hair Salon, Southend Providing expert hair care to Essex for 30 years.

Isn’t it time you made your head grateful?

01702 340965 32 Alexandra Street, Southend SS1 1BU 16

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December 2017

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DRINK

I’m dreaming of a white, red and sparkling Christmas

Christmas Day in our household begins with a breakfast of scrambled eggs and smoked salmon with Champagne – the perfect accompaniment and festive celebration tipple to start the day.

My recommendations with other Christmas fayre are: venison with red Burgundy, roast beef with a good Claret, turbot or salmon with white Burgundy.

A little bubbly also makes for a great toast before lunch or to serve with a light starter.

Festive spirits

Turkey has been the traditional Christmas lunch since Victorian times and because of its low fat content I select wines with a medium or full body but a soft, tannic structure. When served with sweet cranberry sauce and pigs in blankets – which add a salty, savoury element – consider a young, ripe and fruity wine such as Chilean Pinot Noir, Californian red Zinfandel or a French Beaujolais Cru and buy the best you can afford.

If you are having bread sauce in place of cranberry then select a full-bodied Chardonnay – Burgundy would be my go-to destination in the wine aisle.

Modern times have introduced luxury poultry such as goose or duck which are much oilier and will be complemented with wines which show higher acidity and tannins. A red Burgundy will offer the structure and lovely cherry flavours but if you prefer a white wine then try an Alsace Riesling or Pinot Gris which offers a medium-sweet palate with balanced acidity.

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Vegans and vegetarian wines are available and I would go for a Chilean Merlot with nut roast or a red Burgundy with porcini risotto.

Christmas pudding and mince pies are delicious with the similarly-flavoured, aged Tawny ports and rich Madeiras; both wines go very well with rich chocolate desserts too. With a traditional sherry trifle, serve a sweet Sherry (sweet Oloroso Sherry or Pedro Ximenez) or a botrytised Australian Semillon.

Most fruit-based puddings are less sweet than other desserts and quite high in acid; characteristics matching sweet Loire wines and German Riesling Spatlese, Auslese and Beerenauslesese.

The high acidity from the apples and intense sweetness of the caramel in a Tarte Tatin are a perfect partner to top-quality Barsac or Sauternes.

Simpler apple pies and tarts need a less sweet wine like other fruit-based desserts.

O

by Wendy Lee Managing Director of Wine de Vine Ltd

Wine de Vine Ltd Wine Merchants

01702 308 228 / 07958 600 725 email: info@winedevine.co

winedevine.co

Farriers Way, Temple Farm, Southend-on-Sea SS2 5RY

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December 2017

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December 2017

Exterior Cladding Greenoak Concept & Design are pleased to introduce to all our new and existing customers the highly acclaimed HardiePlank cladding.

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FOOD

Sausage Stuffing Cake This is a good stuffing recipe that can be made into balls or used to stuff a turkey (stuff the neck, not the cavity as the heat takes too long to penetrate). Putting it in a cake tin makes a great centrepiece and everyone can cut a wedge. You can make it a couple of days in advance and leave it in the fridge ready to bake. Enjoy!

Ingredients (serves 10 generously):

• 2 tbsp olive oil • 25g butter • 3 shallots, finely chopped • 2 sticks celery, finely chopped • 100g white breadcrumbs • 500g good-quality sausagemeat • 50g roughly-chopped chestnuts, plus extra for scattering (cooked, vacuum-packed ones)

• • 1 tbsp chopped sage leaves, or 1 tsp dried • 1 egg, beaten • 8 rashers rindless streaky bacon • handful chopped parsley, to serve Grated zest of 1 small orange

ORACLE estate planning

In association with Countrywide SE LLP 24

Method: 1. Heat oven to 200°C/fan 180°C/Gas Mark 6. Heat the oil and butter and gently fry the shallots and celery for 5 mins without colouring them. Tip into a bowl and add the breadcrumbs, sausagemeat, chestnuts, orange zest and sage. Add plenty of pepper and a little salt, if using, and mix together with your hands. Add the egg, then mix well.

2. Arrange the bacon slices around the sides of an 18–20cm springform cake tin leaving a 5cm strip on the base and letting the excess hang over the edge (if your slices are quite thick, run the blunt side of a knife over them to stretch them longer).

3. Fill the tin with the stuffing, level it and fold the bacon over the top, gathering and twisting the ends loosely in the centre. Scatter the remaining chestnuts over, pressing them in slightly.

4. Set the tin on a baking sheet to catch any juices that escape, then bake for 40–45 mins until the top is golden. Cool in the tin for 10 mins, then remove onto a serving plate and scatter with parsley. Cut into wedges to serve.

by Judy Barden

O

Next month: Lentil and Chorizo Soup Will Writing • Power of Attorney • Trusts • Funeral Plans Will Updating & Storage Facilities • Probate Administration Call Clive Rowe on: 01702 393838 e: crowe@countrywide-se.com w: www.countrywide-se.co.uk Oracle House, 11 Clarence Road, Southend SS1 1AN

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December 2017

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December 2017

Advertorial

Dental implants – make your smile happy!

There’s much hype when you visit the dentist at the moment surrounding dental implants. There is no doubt that missing teeth affect our confidence and ability to eat the foods we enjoy, but are dental implants really as good as your natural teeth?

We asked patients of Southend Dental Care what they thought about their recent implant treatment and this is what they had to say …

Dennis “I had ground my teeth for years and had worn my teeth right down and my options where dentures or implants and I chose implants. It was a fantastic job, how they do it, I don’t know! There was no pain or discomfort so I do kick myself for not coming before!”

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Believing in the finest quality and best possible treatment for the long term care for his patients, Dr Ali’s friendly and humorous approach to dentistry makes visiting the dentist an enjoyable experience.

If you would like to find out more about dental implants, and how they could benefit you, visit: www.southenddentalcare.co.uk/dental-implantsessex where you can watch the patients’ interviews and book a FREE consultation to begin your journey to a happier smile.

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01702 899476 Unit 2, 4 Southchurch Road, Southend-on-Sea SS1 2NE e: southendcoordinator@ dentalcaregroup.org www.SouthendDentalCare.co.uk

December 2017 www.oraclepublications.co.uk

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Your money or your life?

MONEY TALKS

Who really knows what I would want to happen next? The Doctor doesn’t, the Local Authority doesn’t, nor does the Sheriff Court. Only my family knows …

Whether old or young, capacity to manage your affairs can be lost for many reasons, such as a sudden accident or medical condition. With over 850,000 people in the UK currently living with dementia (and rising), ensuring your loved ones have the ability to make decisions for you is essential, and although many people understand the advantages of having a Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) in place to handle financial affairs, they put off instructing a Health & Welfare LPA, seeing it as less important.

But ask yourself this: what would concern you most if you were unable to make decisions yourself? Would it be whether your money was being spent wisely?

Or would it be where you lived? What you ate? What care and medical treatment you were given?

Here is a true account from a client who had not come to us in time to put a Health & Welfare LPA in place: Mum was admitted to hospital and following a lengthy stay, Social Services – along with the Local Authorities – compiled a health report along with an assessment for care. Naturally, her children wanted

ORACLE estate planning

In association with Countrywide SE LLP 28

to be involved in this process and requested that they be consulted with the view to wanting to ensure that the care package would be what Mum would have wanted. Not only were they not invited to any of these meetings to decide Mum’s fate, the authorities also refused to reveal the contents of the health report to her own children. All decisions were made without any of her immediate family being present!

This is not an isolated case. Are you happy to allow strangers to make all of the decisions about your care? Or would you rather entrust that responsibility to your loved ones? Only by having a Health & Welfare LPA in place and having communicated your wishes to your Attorneys, can you maximise your chances of having your wishes followed in the future.

A weight off your mind So make yours NOW! – while you still have mental capacity, and sleep safe knowing that your wishes will be carried out by the ones you love and trust.

For more information or for friendly, free advice on all aspects of estate planning, please give me a call on: 01702 393838.

O

by Clive Rowe Estate Planning Consultant in association with Countrywide SE LLP Will Writing • Power of Attorney • Trusts • Funeral Plans Will Updating & Storage Facilities • Probate Administration

Call Clive Rowe on: 01702 393838 e: crowe@countrywide-se.com w: www.countrywide-se.co.uk Oracle House, 11 Clarence Road, Southend SS1 1AN

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December 2017

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December 2017 www.oraclepublications.co.uk

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BRAINBOX

HOT SPOT – Where am I?

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SUDOKU – Fill in the grid so

DAYS

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

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

CONUNDRUM – Unscramble to solve the clue.

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A

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Clue: These are cause for a celebration!

Last month’s solutions: HOT SPOT – Former Beecroft Art

Gallery, Station Road, Westcliff WORD LADDER – BASECASECASTCOSTCOAT CONUNDRUM – PAINTINGS

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2 9 3 6 8 5 4 1 7

1 7 6 4 2 9 5 3 8

5 4 8 7 3 1 9 6 2

8 6 4 3 5 7 2 9 1

9 5 1 2 4 8 3 7 6

7 3 2 9 1 6 8 4 5

4 1 9 8 7 2 6 5 3

6 2 5 1 9 3 7 8 4

3 8 7 5 6 4 1 2 9

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December 2017

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JIM DICKENS

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Christmas Fayre FREE Sat 2nd December, 12–4pm. Leigh Community Centre, 73 Elm Rd, Leigh SS9 1SP. Over 55 stalls.

Crafts, food, gifts, face painting and princess. Stalls available from £10. Contact: enquiries@leighcommunitycentre.com North Shoebury, Barling & Little Wakering WI Every 1st Monday of the month (excl. bank holidays), 2pm. St Mary’s Church Hall, N. Shoebury Road (by Asda). All welcome.

Christmas Concert FREE Thurs 7th Dec, 8–10pm. St Michael and All Angels Church, 62 Leigh Rd, Leigh SS9 1LF. John Seeley’s Jazz & Sax Group, refreshments, raffle. Visit: www. visitsouthend.co.uk/whats-on/1930/Christmas-Concert Carols for Christmas FREE Sat 9th & 16th December. Royals Shopping Centre, Southend SS1 1DG. Carols at Strand Wharf FREE Sat 9th December, 5–6pm.

Strand Wharf, Old Town, Leigh SS9 2DN. The Salvation Army Band, Carol Bastin and Belfairs Academy to perform by lantern light. Mince pies for all. Mulled wine and cider available to purchase. Visit: www.visitsouthend.co.uk/ whats-on/1928/Carols-on-Strand-Wharf A Christmas Tale 9th–10th, 16th–17th & 21st–24th Dec. Victoria Shopping Centre, Southend SS2 5SP. All-new Grotto Experience. Child ticket £5+booking fee (includes 2 adults).

For more information, email: enquiries@cowscorge.com or visit: www.facebook.com/christmastalesouthend Help Santa Help the Homeless Sat 9th–Sun 10th December.

Victoria Shopping Centre (at unit on Chichester Rd by the bus stops). Bring your child along to give instead of receive this Christmas. Fill a shoebox for the homeless with things they need. For information, visit: www.visitsouthend.co.uk/ whats-on/1918/Help-Santa-Help-the-Homeless Santa on the Pier Every wknd + week to Xmas, 10am–4pm.

Southend Pier. £11/child. Booking essential: 01702 215620.

Southchurch Village and Friends WI Meeting every 2nd Mon, 7.30pm. Thorpe Bay Methodist Church, The Broadway, Thorpe Bay SS1 3HQ. 11th December – A musical trip around the world at Christmas with Martyn Harrison (Tenor).

Southend Piano Trio – Lunchtime Recitals FREE Wed 13th December, 12.15–1pm. Council Chamber, Civic Centre, Victoria Avenue, Southend SS2 6ER. All welcome, retiring collection. Visit: www.southend.gov.uk/CONCERTS for info.

WI Great Wakering Evening Meeting Every 3rd Monday, 8pm. The Memorial Hall, High St, Great Wakering SS3 OEF. 18th December: Carol Service at St Nicholas Church.

Eastwood Chorale Christmas Concert Sat 16th December, 8pm. Kings Road United Reformed Church, Crowstone Road, Westcliff SS0 8LH. Tickets £8 each. Call Viv: 01702 477259.

Christmas Market FREE Sat 16th–Sun 24th Dec, 9am–5pm.

Southend High Street. Festive treats. For infomation, visit: www.visitsouthend.co.uk/whats-on/1909/Christmas-Market Community Carol Concert FREE Sun 17th Dec, 2–3pm.

Bandstand, Priority Park, Victoria Ave, Southend SS2 6ND. New Year’s Day Concert FREE Mon 1st Jan, 2–3pm.

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If you act now you can avoid these problems.

Now, you may think you need to replace the whole window including the frames and all the hardware, however Cloudy2Clear have come up with a simple and cost saving solution‌ Just replace the glass!!

If you see condensation in your windows just visit our website or give us a call on 0800 61 21 118. We will send out our highly experienced engineers for a free no obligation quote. A Cloudy2Clear quote takes on average no longer than 20 minutes. Once the quote is completed, we will sit down with you and

explain the problem and tell you how we can fix it. With years of experience Cloudy2Clear have a wealth of knowledge and are recognised as a Which Trusted Trader, plus our work is backed by an industry leading 25 year guarantee. Cloudy2Clear also replace faulty locks handles and hinges on all windows and doors.

Your friendly local Cloudy2Clear specialist is Chris Miller and he services the Leigh on Sea & Southend areas.

So, if your windows are steamed up, broken or damaged give Chris a call for a free quotation on 0800 61 21 118.

Cloudy2Clear GUARANTEE All Customers That An Average Quote Will Take No Longer Than 20 MINS!!!

Cloudy2Clear Windows...

Service With A Smile!

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“I am a bit “x.of” a mother hen at Christmas! I always prepare in advance. It is the only way; other wise, it can be really daunting.”

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