Oracle on-Sea November 2016 by Oracle Publications

November 2016

Your all-seeing local

ORACLE

Leigh, Chalkwell, Westcliff & Southend Conservation Area

WIN! Colchester Zoo family ticket – £66!

Spotlight on Leigh’s greatest Endeavour Another local hero awarded. But who?

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ORACLE

WELCOME

I cannot believe that Christmas is only seven weeks away and if, like me, you are just giving a thought about presents to buy and services you might need for this festive occasion, please try and support our local businesses as much as you can. As a local, small business ourselves, producing a local community magazine advertising and promoting businesses in and around the Southend area, we are always very appreciative of the support we get from both our clients and readers. Consequently, we have recently celebrated 11 years as a successful, local, monthly publication. This month sees another local hero who has been awarded Oracle’s Community Spirit Award, please turn to page 26 and read his inspiring story. Colchester Zoo is offering a family ticket worth £66! Be transported to a winter wonderland on 26 and 27 November and every weekend throughout December plus every day between the 17–24 December to enjoy their popular Christmas events. The Zoo will also remain open for the ‘Christmas Starlight Nights’ on 26 Nov, 17 Dec and 23 Dec. For more information on Colchester Zoo and their events this Christmas visit www.colchesterzoo.org To enter, please send your contact details to: Oracle/ Colchester Zoo Competition, 11 Clarence Rd, Southend SS1 1AN or email: info@oraclepublications.co.uk by 21/11/16. Please see Oracle’s website for terms and conditions of the family ticket. Good Luck!

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 oracleessex oracle_essex

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25 Yearsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Experience

CONTENTS Mind your Ps

9/10

Local Issues by Cllr Carole Mulroney

Giving short hair the chop

Salon advice by Craig Smith

A battle of Wills

Law & Order by Richard Curtis

Oracle Community Spirit Award

Recognising our local heroes

Hot and Sour Pork and Pepper Stir-Fry 28 Judy's Recipe Page

Leigh-on-Seaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s greatest Endeavour 32 Spotlight by Finlay Marshall

Local Letters

Residents have their say

Brainbox 40 What's On

Useful Numbers

Advertiser Directory

Advertorials My Health Insured

6/7

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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Advertorial

Health insurance – are you paying too much? The private medical insurance market can be a confusing place, with concerns and fears that can leave you paying too much for your health insurance. I want to address some of the concerns of the policyholder and issues with the market place, and more importantly, how to get the best deal in the market. I have worked in the health insurance market for nearly 20 years and have seen my fair share of highly inflated and simply unfair premiums. I am often appalled at some of the amounts of money some insurers are charging.

Misconceptions There are usually significant fears and reservations about what is and isn’t covered with a new insurer. The main reason and common misconception for people not moving insurer, is a new insurer not accepting pre-existing medical conditions or placing exclusions for recent treatment or newly diagnosed medical conditions. In reality a lot of insurers need to operate with a competitive edge, this means they are more likely to take on pre-existing medical conditions, therefore you may be able to move insurer with no exclusions or exceptions on your medical past. The message is; shop around!

Sticking point I want to address another common misconception – the concept of loyalty. We would like to think, if we have been with an insurer for a long time, for our loyalty, they will be loyal to us. In practice, loyalty doesn’t put you in a better position and I will explain why; whether you have been with an insurer 20 years or 1 week, they will treat all claims in the same way. They will only pay a claim if they are contractually obliged to. Often people reduce their cover with the existing insurer rather than looking around, only to find out when they claim, their policy does not cover an element of treatment. My message is simple – don’t be loyal to an insurer, be savvy. You may also be dubious about a deal that seems a lot less expensive, is this an introductory offer? The answer to this is usually NO – they rarely offer a cheaper premium in the first year only to hike it up in the second year. We work with a number of

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November 2016

insurers however, that do offer 2 free months for new members. This offer is clear, as you know it is only for the first year.

Heart of gold Saving people money is at the heart of our business. It’s what we do best. Usually we aim to match your cover so you don’t lose any benefits and still save money. Sometimes you can adjust cover and remove benefits such as psychiatric cover or complementary therapies, to save even more money. Speak to us and we can explain ways you may be able to reduce your health insurance bill. We regularly save our clients in excess of 40% on their health insurance premiums. One of our clients recently, was with BUPA paying £3,800 per year, we moved them to AXA/PPP for a premium of £2,300 and obtained better cover for them, and covered a pre-existing heart condition too. My Health Insured are a completely independent broker who work with insurers such as AXA/PPP, Aviva, Vitality, The Exeter and many more. We aim to save you money on your health insurance without compromising on cover and are proud that we are successful in saving some of our clients upwards of 40% off their health insurance premiums.

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LOCAL ISSUES

Mind your Ps Planning and Parking – two topics close to the heart of residents in Leigh, and the Borough for that matter, that provide an ever-increasing challenge for the Council. Over recent years, planning has become a hot topic as the need for housing continues to grow. In Leigh nowadays there are familiar and repeated cries

of “We can’t take anymore, when is it all going to stop?” and “Why does the Council let this happen?”

Spaced out Well, the Council can’t prevent developers making planning applications. In Leigh, we are suffering the consequences of being short of space for development and are constantly having to battle against the surge of development which could destroy our town and its heritage. With no readily available sites and with ever increasing pressure to accommodate the people who want to come here because it is a great place to live, we have more and more applications to build flats, convert bungalows into houses, demolish houses to build in more capacity and extend.

Sounds like a plan So how do the public make their voices heard? Well, you can, of course, object to applications but if there is nothing wrong with them in planning terms then that is a difficult mountain to climb. There is another, rather longer way, of making your voice heard. The Borough will shortly be producing its new Borough Plan. If that sounds dry as dust (no offence to the planners), well it probably will be. It will be a long and detailed document setting out the Borough’s planning policies for the future. Boring as it may sound, I urge everyone who has ever moaned about new development coming in, or about the pressures on our resources, to make the effort to look at the document and comment on its proposals. It is the chance that all of us have to influence the

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way our Town and Borough is planned and that is a responsibility we should all take seriously. As a Leigh Town and Southend Borough Councillor I will make every effort to ensure that the documents are available for people to see and comment on in Leigh.

Park that thought Parking, or lack of it, is one of the most emotive and troublesome problems that councillors face. In highly residential areas like Leigh it is a particular problem and with the increasing number of requests for dropped kerbs and frontage parking, the problem is just getting worse. There are also a number of ways in which we as citizens frustrate the situation ourselves. Many roads are completely clogged up with the huge expansion in car ownership and it is difficult to park in your own street or sometimes even close by. It has meant the considerable concreting over of our front gardens and the whole ambience of some of our residential areas has been destroyed by this loss of greenery and kerb appeal.

Drive to despair Nearly every time a dropped kerb is granted we lose on street parking which creates more problems for those whose frontages cannot accommodate a parking space. Yet with a little good neighbourliness and forethought there are ways we could all help ease the situation in many of our roads.

How frustrating is it to see a dropped kerb parking space not being used but the owner’s car parked on the road using up a valuable space, or to see a car parked and overlapping 2 spaces? There are lots of little niggles like this which reduce our on street parking capacity. So perhaps we could all do our bit and park more considerately. One of the big areas of concern is parking near schools. It is unbelievable sometimes to see the risks parents take dropping off and picking up their children by parking indiscriminately or just stopping anywhere, including on crossings. To park positively recognising the needs of others will not solve the problem of capacity but it could help make life a little easier and safer.

The cue to mind our Ps No one can solve the parking problem with a wave of a magic wand, nor can we solve our planning issues quickly, but all of us coming together as communities can influence, help and improve the situation. So I urge everyone – don’t sit on the sidelines and moan later – get involved.

by Cllr Carole Mulroney Chairman of Leigh Town Council and Southend Borough Councillor for Leigh Ward

t: 01702 475117 e: cllrmulroney@southend.gov.uk

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Giving short hair the chop

SALON

It has long been said that you can judge the health of the nation’s economy by skirt lengths. Perhaps this needs revising to how long a woman’s hair is, especially as she matures.

pull off in your forties than trying to maintain its appearance from when you were twenty-something. Thinning hair can be treated with modern shampoos, conditioners and treatments, but don’t rule out extensions. What we call fillers, are a new technique that uses extensions to create volume rather than length. Of course, the golden rule is to go for quality, rather than quantity. Long hair should suggest health rather than wealth, unless you’re auditioning to be in a new franchise of ‘Real Housewives of …’

Increasingly, it’s not just the whipper-snappers who want long, tumbling Kim Kardashian-esque manes. With so many more advanced products now that specifically cater for more mature hair, the days of having to be ‘sensible’ by cutting all your hair off just because you hit forty are long gone and its time to follow the example of such stylish women as Julianne Moore, Elle MacPherson and Kylie Minogue.

The long and short of it Of course, maintaining a healthy, active lifestyle also plays a hugely significant part in how your hair maintains its vitality as you age and one should always follow the old mantra of ‘everything in moderation’ – shoulder-length flowing tresses look great up to a certain point but trying to be a blonde glamazon in your mid-seventies is a bit like walking down Leigh Broadway dressed as a cowboy.

Now, being a hairdresser I know you’re bound to say, ‘well he would say that, wouldn’t he’ but if you can afford it, a weekly salon blow-dry will keep your long locks looking lustrous for days. You could also consider a bi-annual keratin treatment, which will smooth your hair and eliminate frizz for ages. As you age, your oestrogen levels drop, which means your hair grows at a slower rate, while hormones such as testosterone can make hair thinner. So if you have curly hair, it takes a little extra planning to manage your wild, natural looks into later life. In some cases, straightening your hair is easier to

Conversely, too short a haircut can make your face look hard, so talk to your hairdresser about finding the right length for you and you’ll never be sold short again!

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?

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A battle of Wills

LAW & ORDER

Disputes over Wills are now much more common with the increase in home ownership and charities persuading the elderly to leave their estates to them. If you have a dispute, my strongest advice is to seek initial advice and assistance from an experienced solicitor. You should enter a caveat at the deceased’s local registry office. This can be done by downloading a form from the internet and sending it with a small fee to the registry office dealing with the Will. The registrar will not grant letters of probate on the deceased’s estate, preventing the executors from distributing the deceased’s estate while you resolve the dispute.

Where there’s a will, there’s a way There are two main types of claim over a Will:

• The Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act 1975

• That the deceased lacked testamentary capacity The first claim can only be made by a direct family member or dependent and must be made within six months. The direct member of the family or dependant must show that the deceased was domiciled in England and Wales. Claimants must be

Curtis & Curtis The local law firm with 30 years of City experience

an un-remarried spouse or cohabitant, a child of the deceased or someone receiving support from the deceased immediately before their death. A court will then consider whether reasonable provision is made for the for the claimants and if not, what provision should be made. The second claim has a time limit of 12 years, but you must not delay. Challenging the deceased’s lack of testamentary capacity is difficult and requires the strongest evidence. The evidence of the testamentary capacity is provided by the person drafting the Will – usually a solicitor – coupled with their attendance note from a witness to the Will. Their evidence can be challenged if:

• The Will was created shortly before the death • The Will is inexplicably inconsistent with •

previous Wills

The deceased suffered some medical illness or was taking medication affecting their mental state at the time of the Will (the executors will obtain the medical evidence).

Courts will act if they are satisfied that the deceased was unduly influenced when making their will.

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policy of delivering the highest standards possible at all times. ‘Our service is simple. If your double glazing has 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 25 year guarantee. But it’s not just about saving people money, although that obviously helps. Whilst a number of tradespeople perhaps don’t focus on customer care as much as they should do, 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. Locally Cloudy2Clear service the Leigh on Sea & Southend areas and

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COMMUNITY

Oracle Community Spirit Award

This month, Oracle celebrates local hero, Garry Lowen – saviour of one of Southend’s biggest community events … Southend born and bred, Garry spent 25 years working at the Ministry of Defence before joining the Department for Education. This led to him successfully devising and implementing systems and initiatives to help protect and improve the high standard of education offered by our schools. It wasn’t until 2012 that Garry and his wife, Penny followed their dream, took control of Gleneagles Guesthouse & Tea Rooms and rebuilt it into the highly respected, successful business it is today. They now employ a dedicated team of ten and generously hosts meetings for local clubs and groups. Garry insists on sourcing the best of everything for the Grade II listed guesthouse locally: ‘If, like us, you rely on the local community then you have to put something back in.’ A man of his word, in 2013 Garry volunteered to become Chair of Southend Carnival and used his business know-how to revive the celebrated but floundering festival: ‘By organising fundraising events such as Carters Steam Fair and Leigh Beer Festival, and generating sponsorship from many local businesses, we made it possible for carnival participants to collect for their own charities instead of taking a split of a diminished pot. Now, thousands of pounds go directly to each charity.’ ‘We’ve also just had our second Charities Ball,’ says Garry. ‘We bring together small charities and organise a raffle. It’s about supporting others to raise money. This year £3,500 was raised.’

Garry is also a member of the Portico Academies Trust and Chair of the Mayor’s Charity – which has raised tens of thousands of pounds for local charities (in 2014, the Mayor himself raised £7,000 by daring to ride the Wall of Death at the Steam Fair). Not only that, Garry is the Southend Business Partnership Tourism Rep too, where his big ideas work to effect improvements to the area through planning consultations with the Council. And if this wasn’t enough, Garry gives 60 Minute Mentoring, in which he visits local schools to inspire children and demonstrate – by using his own life as an example – that with enough hard work and passion, you really can achieve anything you wish.

Behind every good man … So, how can a man manage to do so much work for the community and still get up at 5.45am to cook 28 full English breakfasts? ‘I could not have done any of this without the outstanding support and help of my wife and best friend, Penny’, Garry says emotionally. So, next time you’re enjoying the carnival, a festival or fair, spare a thought for the personal efforts that have gone into organising an event that benefits our town and charities, helps bring our community together and spreads so much happiness and goodwill. ‘I hope I’m able to keep giving back, even when I retire’, Garry considers. ‘This is a fantastic town. We all need to work to keep it that way and make it more fantastic. You can’t just take – you’ve got to give back, and you’ve got to get out there to make things different.’ Yes, we do have a fantastic town, and in no small part thanks to you, Garry.

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Hot and Sour Pork and Pepper Stir-Fry

FOOD

This is a lovely little supper recipe for 2 people. It’s a fresh, simple dish with a hint of lime and can be cooked in the same time as going to get a Chinese takeaway! The toasted sesame seeds really add to the dish so are worth doing.

Method

Enjoy!

3. Heat the oil in a non-stick frying pan or wok, add the pork and peppers and stir-fry for 5–6 mins over a high heat until the pork is lightly browned and cooked through.

Ingredients (serves 2)

• 100g Thai jasmine rice • 1 tbsp sesame seeds • 1 tsp sunflower oil • 250g pork fillet, cut into finger-width strips • 1 red and 1 yellow pepper, deseeded and sliced • 2 tsp cornflour • 2 tsp soy sauce • juice of 1 lime • 2 tbsp clear honey • ½ a red chilli, sliced • 100g of fresh beansprouts

ORACLE estate planning

In association with Countrywide SE LLP 28

1. Place the rice in a saucepan with 300ml boiling water. Bring to the boil, stir once, cover with a lid and reduce the heat to low. Cook for 15 mins, by which time the rice should have absorbed all the liquid and be perfectly cooked. 2. Dry-fry the sesame seeds until toasted golden, then tip into a small bowl and set aside.

4. Mix the cornflour and soy sauce together in a bowl, then add the lime juice, honey, chilli and sesame seeds, plus 6 tbsp cold water. 5. Pour into the wok and cook until the sauce has slightly thickened, tossing the pan to coat the pork and peppers.

6. Serve with the rice. by Judy Barden Next month: Chocolate Orange Tart

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SPOTLIGHT

Leigh-on-Sea’s greatest Endeavour

Leigh’s top tourist attraction after cockles must surely be her heroic little ship, Endeavour. Looking just as she did when launched in 1924, she has become well known on the Thames and abroad through TV appearances and now two major films about the Dunkirk evacuation of 1940.

Making waves

The boat is run by the Leigh-on-Sea Endeavour Trust, a registered charity, which organises cruises and talks for young and old alike throughout the county. Local schools such as Belfairs even have an Endeavour hub, and pupils have taken part in projects relating to the boat and her part in evacuating troops from France in 1940. The number of Dunkirk veterans decreases year by year but their gratitude towards the little ships which saved them never diminishes. One event organised by the Association of Dunkirk Little Ships (ADLS) is at Hampton Court in September and Endeavour has lowered her mast and gone upriver to take veterans for cruises on the upper Thames. Every five years ADLS boats cross the English Channel to France to commemorate the evacuation.

Mike King, chairman of the Trustees said: “We have been fortunate to have sponsorship from local businesses over the years but keeping a wooden boat in good order is an expensive business and we can always do with additional support. As well as finding younger members, we need to raise as much money as we can to give her a long term future.”

Endeavour has acquired a reputation for being at sea when others prefer to stay in harbour. Her maiden voyage after being re-built was in a force 6 wind, under sail to Ramsgate. The rest of the fleet told us: “You’re mad!” Maybe, but it was one of the most exciting sails the crew ever had. What the Trust needs now are intrepid volunteers to learn to sail the boat and maintain her for the future. She is made of wood and that means lots of hard work to keep her painted and seaworthy.

To join The Endeavour Trust please contact the Membership Secretary, Peter Dolby at: 10 Harley Street, Leigh-on-Sea SS9 2NJ or via our website: www.endeavourtrust.co.uk by Finlay Marshall

Endeavour Trust Committee Member and Trustee

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Adam P. PANIC STATIONS --------------

Dear Oracle

I am writing as my Great Aunt - at the age of 91 - travelled from her home in Axminster, Devon, by train, all the way to London for a special family occasion. She was then met by her grandson who helped her to travel across London to then board a train at Fenchurch Street. Before boarding the train at Fenchurch Street, they arranged for her to have assisted help at Thorpe Bay station and the station were told which train she would be on. As you can imagine, at her age a journey like this is extremely worrying and to my Great Aunt’s horror, when she arrived at Thorpe Bay Station there was nobody to help her off the train! Luckily, there was a young lady on the train who noticed her distress, came to her aid and helped her onto the station’s platform. I do feel that there should be more staff manning stations during the day so that the elderly can travel with confidence knowing that help will be at hand if needed. If this were the case more elderly people would possibly use our trains. Sadly, I doubt if my elderly Aunt will want to make that journey again! Mrs Bromley

Tracking Trains Many moons ago I used to enjoy seeing a particular

float in the carnival procession – a train engine

called, “The Kursaal Flyer”. I wonder if anybody knows what happened to it? I’d love to see it again. David

- Catch the Bouquet How exquisite Prittlewell Square has looked this summer. The gardeners have done an amazing job. I even saw a young couple taking their wedding photos there – I expect their pictures looked as good as they would have in the gardens of any stately home. Indeed, the flowers all along the cliffs have been beautifully laid and it has been an absolute pleasure walking along and enjoying the best that Southend has got to offer. Well done and thank you to all involved. E. Jones

www.oraclepublications.co.uk

November 2016

November 2016 www.oraclepublications.co.uk

www.oraclepublications.co.uk

November 2016

November 2016 www.oraclepublications.co.uk

BRAINBOX 3

HOT SPOT – Where am I?

9 4 5

6 1

8 8

1 8

Really positive signs

Hopson Property Services

SUDOKU – Fill in the grid so

BURN

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.

FUSE

CONUNDRUM – Unscramble to solve the clue.

W O

Selling, managing and letting properties consistently for over 20 years. • FREE Rental and Sales Appraisal Service • Rent Guarantee Available • A.R.L.A Members (offering client money protection) • FREE Professional advice • Large Client-Base of Fully-Vetted Tenants and Purchasers

Clue: They make your party go with a bang! Last month’s solutions: HOT SPOT – Dunkirk Memorial,

St Clement’s Church, Leigh-on-Sea WORD LADDER – HOWLCOWLCOOLMOOLMOON CONUNDRUM – CAULDRONS

2 6 4 8 1 5 7 3 9

5 9 8 3 7 4 6 2 1

1 3 7 9 2 6 4 5 8

7 5 3 2 6 8 9 1 4

6 8 1 5 4 9 3 7 2

4 2 9 1 3 7 5 8 6

9 7 2 6 8 3 1 4 5

8 4 5 7 9 1 2 6 3

3 1 6 4 5 2 8 9 7

sales : 01702 334353 lettings : 01702 390990

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

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November 2016

COLE & SON

CASAMANCE

DE SI

NS UL TA T

FR EE

JANE CHURCHILL

DESIGN, STYLE & CRAFTSMANSHIP Visit our extensive showroom and workshop in Thorpe Bay. We offer a complete interior design service. A fantastic choice of styles, finishes, fabrics, leathers, accessories, BESPOKE UPHOLSTERY, CURTAINS, BLINDS AND SHUTTERS – a talented and dedicated team of interior designers, furniture craftsmen and curtain makers to create your specific requirements – let us transform your home. We also provide a full RE-UPHOLSTERY and RE-MODELLING service and have a huge selection of FABRICS, WALLPAPERS and CARPETS. Interior design by MICHELLE ELLIOTT-BRITTO. MORRIS

INTERIORS

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ROMO

ZINC

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November 2016 www.oraclepublications.co.uk

ORACLE

in association with

estate planning

â&#x20AC;&#x153;We offer a complete, credible and professional Estate Planning service, which gives our clients peace of mind for the present and futureâ&#x20AC;?

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42 Oracle Estate Planning May16 leaflet front.indd

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26/07/2016 15:49 November 2016

Q UA L I T Y

CHRISTMAS MENU FO

BOOK NOW FOR CHRISTMAS

MICHELIN BIB GOURMAND

2017

THE ANCHOR RIVERSIDE

PTI

R O NA L P

Starters Homemade roast parsnip soup - apple - chestnut cheddar & thyme bread (v) Classic cocktail - poached prawns - cocktail sauce lettuce - lemon dressing Buttered chicken liver pate - onion chutney - toasted brioche Whipped goats cheese - roast squash & pumpkin seeds - pumpkin jam (v) Mains Roast turkey - chestnut & sage stuffing swede purée - buttered sprouts - watercress - roast potatoes & turkey gravy Roast Dingley Dell pork belly - caramelised swede bubble & squeak - apple - crackling Tempura cod - Indian spices - sweet potato dhal peanut bombay crumb - masala mayonnaise BBQ duck ‘cottage pie’ - roasted winter vegetables cheddar mash Chestnut mushroom & Nordic cheese risotto (v) Desserts Chocolate & baileys crémeux - coffee cracker & syrup Gingerbread brûlée - cranberry sorbet - BBQ clementine Christmas pudding - brandy custard - boozy fruits & nuts

Our delicious Christmas set menu is still available to book, running from Monday to Friday during December 1st to Christmas Eve. Make sure to reserve your place now!

Classic sherry trifle - almonds - custard - sherry jelly British cheeses - grapes - red wine jelly biscuits (£2.50 supplement) Lunch: 2 courses £17.95, 3 courses £19.95 • Evening: 2 courses £20.95, 3 courses £22.95

The Anchor Riverside Ferry Road, Hullbridge, Essex SS5 6ND

theanchorhullbridge.co.uk

01702 230 777

November 2016 www.oraclepublications.co.uk

Unique handmade affordable gifts & homewares

WHAT’S ON Seafront Fireworks FREE 7.30pm every Saturday until 19th Nov. City Beach, Marine Parade, Southend SS1 1EE. Thorpe Bay Youth Club FREE Every Tuesday, 5–6.30pm. Thorpe Bay Methodist Church, The Broadway, Thorpe Bay, SS1 3HQ. Years 6–9, dodgeball, football, music, pool table. Saturday Storytelling FREE Every Saturday, 2–3pm. The Forum, Elmer Square, Southend SS1 1NS. Room Escape 1st–27th Nov, various times. 12 West Street, Southend SS2 6HJ. Try to complete the Southend Asylum puzzle in 60 minutes. £15. www.roomescapesouthend.com Christmas Fair FREE Sat 12th Nov, 10am–1.30pm. Leigh Community Centre, 71–73 Elm Road, Leigh-on-Sea, SS9 1SP. Pre-loved and craft stalls. Festive Craft & Gift Fair FREE Sat 12th Nov, 10am–4pm. Cliffs Pavilion, Station Road, Southend SS0 7RA. 70 stalls of crafted products by locals. Tabletop Sale Sat 12th Nov, 10.30am–2.30pm. Royal Naval Association, East St, Southend SS2 6LQ. 50p in aid of RNA. A Concert for Remembrance Sat 12th Nov, 7.30pm. Westcliff High School for Boys, Kenilworth Gardens SS0 0BP. Southend Boys’ and Girls’ Choirs with Rayleigh Brass Band and Southend Choral Society. £10 (con £9). 01702 465 560 Southend Faith & Belief Day FREE Sat 12th Nov, 11am– 3pm. Civic Centre, First Floor Foyer, Victoria Avenue, Southend SS2 6ER. Showcase of work for community from Jewish, Muslim, Humanist and a range of Christian groups. WI Southchurch Village Friends Meeting Every 2nd Monday, 7.30pm. The Hamstel Children & Families Centre, Hamstel Rd, Southend SS2 4PQ. 14th Nov: Back to Basics Jams/Chutney. Handmade Craft Fair FREE Sat 19th Nov, 10am–3pm. Leigh Community Centre, 71–73 Elm Road, Leigh-on-Sea, SS9 1SP. Family craft activities and gifts. Christmas Bazaar FREE Sat 19th Nov, 1.30–4.45pm. Chalkwell Park Methodist Church, Westcliff SS0 9XF. Cakes, Christmas gift stalls and Father Christmas (1.30–3pm). Christmas Lights Switch On FREE Sat 19th Nov, 11am–8pm. Southend High Street, Victoria Plaza and Royals Shopping Centre, SS1 1DG. Radio stage and various activities throughout the day. Night of the Lights FREE Fri 25th Nov, 5–8pm. Leigh Road, Broadway, Leigh-on-Sea SS9 1PE. Fairground and procession in Christmas celebration. Christmas Fair FREE Sat 26 Nov, 10am–2pm. Shoeburyness High School, Caulfield Road SS3 9LL. Food, gifts, craft stalls. International Board Games Day FREE Sat 26th Nov, 10am–4pm. 1st Floor Meeting Rooms, The Forum, Elmer Square, Southend-on-Sea SS1 1NS. Carols for Christmas FREE Sat 3rd Dec, 11am–5pm. Victoria and Royals Shopping Centre, SS1 1DG. Local choirs perform throughout the day. Fantastic 4D Light Show FREE Sat 3rd–10th Dec, 5–8pm. Southend High Street (nr. the railway bridge), SS1 1DG.

A hidden gem, nestled within the trendy lanes of Broadway West showcasing the wares of over 20 talented crafters. Offering beautiful creations which can be customised & personalised to suit any occassion.

83 Broadway West. Leigh on Sea. Essex. SS9 2BU www.anerleysemporium.co.uk

www.oraclepublications.co.uk

November 2016

Photography Exhibitions Limited Edition Print Sales Bookshop Photography Sourcing Service Reference Library For Visitors Artists’ Talks & Events Portfolio Reviews Professional Development © Laura Pannack: The Offering, they got used to each other bit by bit - from the series ‘Youth Without Age, Life

An Independent Photography Gallery Showcasing the work of emerging and established contemporary photographers. We are dedicated to providing a welcoming space to experience, acquire and collect photography. Our Print Room

Christmas Gifting Options

Our Bookshop

Limited Edition Print Box Sets Book Bundles Book with Print Box Sets Gift Vouchers

Representing 16 photographers working in a variety of genres. Accessible to all and catering to a range of budgets. A comfortable space to explore & discuss work before embarking on a purchase. Carefully selected artists’ books, monographs & journals. Sourced from independent publishers. Limited edition & self published photobooks.

Photography Sourcing & Consultation

We can advise on corporate or private collections. Guidance through a one-off purchase for your home or business. Working to your specific brief and budget. Consultations can take place in your home or business premises where options can be viewed in situ for greater confidence in a purchase. © Laura Pannack

Leigh Road - Leigh on Sea - Essex - SS9 1BW

01702 474 300 info@francescamaffeogallery.com francescamaffeogallery.com

November 2016 www.oraclepublications.co.uk

LUXURY MAKE UP & BEAUTY BOUTIQUE

01702 474 501 | www.tiny-london.com 108 Leigh Road, Leigh on Sea, Essex, SS9 1BU

The Crystal Tree

69 Broadway West Leigh-on-Sea SS9 2BX (opp Leigh Library) Angelic Reiki, Crystal Healing, Rahanni Crystals Crystal Jewellery Angel Gifts Incense & Space Clearing Items Candles Salt Lamps Books, Cards & CD’s Meditation Groups & Workshops www.the-crystal-tree.co.uk Healing for Mind Body and Soul 46

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MIKE’s

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For a FREE Quotation call Mike

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November 2016

Air&Back

Q Airport Transfer Specialists Air & Back, the airport-transfer specialists, provide an efficient and friendly door-to-door transfer to and from your airport. seaport or ferry terminal, at a reasonable cost. Get your holiday or business trip off to a comfortable start with an effortless transfer from Air & Back.

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Polite, experienced and wellpresented drivers Full comprehensive insurance including Hire and Reward Drivers and vehicles licensed by the local authority. Detailed confirmation to you the day before departure

Call today for a competitive quote Air & Back, 22 Coronation Close, Great Wakering, SS3 0JG

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CITY H STANSTED H GATWICK H LUTON H HEATHROW November 2016 www.oraclepublications.co.uk

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