Oracle on-Sea December 2016 by Oracle Publications

December 2016

Your all-seeing local

OR CLE

Leigh, Chalkwell, Westcliff & Southend Conservation Area

WIN! Cliff House Clinic Laser treatment - ÂŁ150!

Xmas Recipe: Orange & Chocolate Tart

Council: Emergency local care services?

Xmas refuse collection dates inside!

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December 2016

ORACLE

WELCOME

Most of us normally associate Christmas with spoiling our children and spending time with close family and friends. However, in our town there are many children this Christmas who for one reason or another, are unable to spend it with their families. This month, Local Issues brings our attention to these children who need a local foster care family to give them a sense of stability and belonging in their lives, something we probably assume all children have and enjoy. This monthâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s competition is kindly donated by Cliff House Clinic. Win the opportunity to help move that Christmas excess in the New Year with ÂŁ150 of advanced Laser Lipo fat loss treatment with infrared and lymphatic drainage. Visit their website to see the full range of wonderful treatments that Cliff House Clinic offer: www.cliffhouseclinic.co.uk To enter, please send your contact details to: Oracle/Cliff House Clinic Competition, 11 Clarence Road, Southend, Essex SS1 1AN or email: info@oraclepublications.co.uk by 31st December 2016. Good Luck! I would like to wish you all a very Merry Christmas and Prosperous New Year.

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

Printed by Printwize Ltd, Witham, Essex CM8 3BN 01376 500900

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CONTENTS Fostering futures

9/10

Local Issues by Lauren Turansky

Craig’s list – What’s hot to trot for 2017

Salon advice by Craig Smith

There ought to be a law against it!

Law & Order by Richard Curtis

Emergency: care services

Council news by Cllr Ron Woodley

Chocolate and Orange Tart

Judy's Recipe Page

Christmas Refuse Collection Dates

Local Letters

Residents have their say

Brainbox 38 What's On

Useful Numbers

Advertiser Directory

Advertorials Cliff House Clinic

Hopson Property Services

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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 2016

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December 2016

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December 2016

LOCAL ISSUES

Fostering futures There are currently thousands of children across Essex who, for many different reasons, cannot live with their birth families. These children are much more likely to have suffered profound neglect and abuse, and they need to find stability with a foster care family, to develop a sense of belonging, clear boundaries and a consistent home environment. For these children, a permanent long-term placement coupled with therapeutic recovery is vital.

Therapeutic fostering Therapeutic fostering is for children who have experienced trauma and who have associated emotional, behavioural and attachment difficulties. True therapeutic fostering is nurturing and gives an attuned and reflective experience of family life for

the child. By using reflection the child is helped to understand the meaning of behaviours and make sense of past experiences. Individual and integrated treatment plans are of paramount importance – alongside working with the extended family – to help the child recover and repair from this trauma. A different understanding of relationships and a balanced view of the world is all part of this recovery. Using the most up-to-date theory and resources for trauma assessment and treatment, along with therapists who have expertise in specialised areas, will move towards a positive outcome. Working directly with the children, therapists gain a unique insight that helps influence both foster carers and the team supporting the child in placement. This work ensures that the children have the chance to tell their unique story.

Different strokes There are many different approaches of therapy that are beneficial for each child’s individual needs. For example, play therapy allows the child to recover and repair subconsciously through play and enables them to make sense of their experiences. Other children benefit from a more systemic approach, or perhaps from a narrative based angle looking at behaviours and processing them in the conscious mind. But what really makes a difference to these childrens’ lives are foster carers who are able to help them recover and progress from their difficult early experiences.

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When one of our children was asked how he felt about being in foster care and the difference it had made to his life, he said: “A big difference academically: given me social skills I didn’t have before, set goals and achieve them. It’s given me motivation – I’ve gone from not believing I can do things to pretty much being up for anything.” Foster carers come from diverse communities. Children need love and support, and people from all backgrounds who can give it to them. So if you have the desire to bring hope, healing and laughter to a child in need of a stable, nurturing home, and feel that you have the qualities required to meet the sometimes challenging demands of taking a child into your life, you could become a foster carer.

Care to join us? There are opportunities to become a full time foster carer or to provide respite at weekends or during school holidays. Respite allows the full time carer to take a week or two holiday, or perhaps a weekend away. It may also be used to allow the carer to attend an event that may not be suitable for their foster child. We try to use the same respite carers for each child allowing a relationship to build

and ensuring that the child becomes familiar with another care giver and home. Here’s what one of our respite foster carers has to say about her role: “The best thing about being a respite foster carer is that I get to provide short periods of care to a large and varied selection of our younger people. I may have a 7 year old girl on respite for a week and spend my time creating craft projects and baking. Then, in contrast, I may have a 16 year old lad with me for a long weekend and find myself cycling along the seafront and trekking through the woods. There is certainly never a dull or predictable moment in the role of a respite foster carer…and I love it!” Whether you are single, married, lesbian, gay, heterosexual, divorced or cohabiting – if you want to make the difference and foster a child, we want to hear from you. Please take a look at our website: www.i-want-tofoster.com, and call us today on: 0800 121 6401. “You were born with the ability to change someone’s life. Don’t ever waste it” – Anonymous

by Lauren Turansky Fostering Recruitment Manager

Fostering in Essex, Suffolk and London Suite 2, Chalkwell Lawns, 648-656 London Rd, Westcliff SS0 9HR 10

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December 2016

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rental £3,459. Price shown is for a 48 month Personal Contract Hire agreement for a MINI Cooper Countryman with a contract mileage of 40,000 miles and excess mileage charge of 4.32p per mile. Applies to new vehicles ordered between 1 October and 31 December 2016 and registered by 31 March 2017 (subject to availability). Retail customers only. At the end of your agreement you must return the vehicle. Excess mileage, vehicle condition and other charges may be payable. Hire available subject to status to UK residents aged 18 or over. Guarantees and indemnities may be required. Terms and conditions apply. Offer may be varied, withdrawn or extended at any time. Hire provided by MINI Financial Services, Summit ONE, Summit Avenue, Farnborough, Hampshire GU14 0FB. Fairfield Garage (Leigh-on-Sea) Limited, trading as Fairfield, commonly introduce customers to a selected panel of lenders including MINI Financial Services. We may receive commission or other benefits for introducing you to such lenders. This introduction does not amount to independent financial advice.

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20/10/2016 14:17 11

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December 2016

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SALON

Craig’s list – What’s hot to trot for 2017

Renowned fashionista, hair guru and Southend salon owner, Craig Smith interviews renowned fashionista, hair guru and Southend salon owner, Craig Smith, to find out what’s hot for 2017…

pencil to sharpen the natural shape – and you’ll look super-cute, whether in Las Vegas or Bas Vegas, baby. Craig: Brights are also coming back aren’t they, Craig? Craig: Brights? I think it’s important to say ‘neon’. Bold lips will also be statement pouts in orange and pink. This requires leaving the rest of the face makeup free. Curled eyelashes will open up your peepers and neat brows will frame your face nicely.

Craig: So, Craig, what will be on-trend in the world of make-up next year? Craig: The no makeup, ultra-natural look will stay with emphasis on perfecting skin tones, neat brows and a healthy glow. Bold lips will be the exciting contrast to this look. Dark, earthy colours with shimmering gold glitter on top will be where it’s at. Craig: The biker jacket has made a big comeback in America, will that trend cross the pond? Craig: In many ways, classic Americana never goes out of style. Rock ’n’ roll black is always cool and I predict thick, kohl eyeliner smudged along the lower lash line, balanced with a light, natural brow will look great on women who like a more natural hair texture and casual, too-busy-living style. I’ve noticed references to rockabilly popping up in the mainstream. The way to update a sixty year old hairstyle is to take the original and make it slightly messy. Add some bold brow makeup – using a dark

Craig: Will the Amy Winehouse cat-eye return? Craig: Absolutely! But in a more exaggerated fashion using vibrant colours with liner thickly applied on upper and lower lids and extended dramatically at the outer corner. Instead of Amy’s signature black, the new look will be about deep, shimmery hues. Craig: Bright colours and bold patterns fill the top fashion house’s runway collections, what will go best? Craig: The golden rule is: less is more. Don’t try and compete with in-your-face colours. Let them make the statement and the rest will follow. Fresh skin with a dewy glow and minimal makeup is essential. You can make a statement by having a blunt fringe, with the rest of your hair texturised along its lengths.

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 2016

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December 2016

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LAW & ORDER

There ought to be a law against it!

Mrs Palsgraf stood on the Long Island Railway Company’s platform waiting for her train … As another train set to depart, two men ran forward to catch it. One of the men reached the open carriage door as it was moving off. The other man carrying a brown paper parcel, jumped aboard the carriage but seemed unsteady on his feet as if about to fall. A guard on the train, who had held the door open for the two men, reached forward to help the man in, another guard on the platform pushed the man from behind. In this act, the Man dropped the parcel, and it fell upon the live rails beneath exploding as it contained fireworks. The shock of the explosion knocked over a weighing machine at the other end of the platform. The machine struck Mrs Palsgraf causing her injuries. She sued the Railway Company.

Shell shock Mrs May Donoghue met her friend at the Wellmeadow Café in Scotland. The friend ordered May an ice cream and ginger beer soda. May poured half of the ginger beer over her ice cream and drank the soda. She poured the rest of the ginger beer out along with the remains of a rotting snail. May

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

became very ill and sued the Stevenson Brewery’s makers of the ginger beer for making her ill.

A one-track mind These two seemingly innocuous incidents from 1928 both became iconic legal cases on negligence. The Supreme Court of New York found that neither the guards nor the Railway Company were liable for Mrs Palsgraf’s injury, as the harm was unforeseen. The court established the “zone of danger” to limit claims of negligence to only where there is an obvious danger. In the case of the ginger beer, the Scottish House of Lords established the “neighbour principle”, whereby a duty of care is owed to those so closely and directly affected by such an act that the service providers ought to have them in contemplation as being so affected. They established that the brewery were liable to Mrs Donoghue. Please be mindful this holiday season when helping people with brown paper parcels or accepting a ginger beer! Wishing you all a Happy Holiday.

by Richard Curtis

Barrister at Curtis & Curtis Law Firm, Shoeburyness T: 0 1 7 0 2 2 9 3 2 7 7

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2FOR1 tickets at top London attractions when you travel by train this Christmas. Book at c2c-online.co.uk

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December 2016

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Emergency: care services

COUNCIL

It is no exaggeration to state that the coming disaster in adult social care services is unprecedented. The government has failed to act on this demographic change because of no real planning to cope with the financial pressures on local authorities or on individual households. Various governments have buried their heads in the sand and not planned for the future. It seems the only planning by governments is to focus on the next election. There is a real need to take out silo thinking â&#x20AC;&#x201C; to focus politicians and officials to come up with solutions. The need to interlink health and adult social care is now more apparent than ever and we need to seriously question whether the private sector can be solely relied upon in the future to deliver the necessary care that our growing elderly population need.

Ideals on wheels Life is simple. We need to stop making it difficult and to stop trying to re-invent the wheel. We should start by looking 20 years ahead and then work backwards to achieve the ultimate goal of quality care with financial stability and keep asking ourselves: What do we want to achieve? Why do we want to achieve it? How are we going to achieve it? And when are we going to achieve it?

Social media There should be more preventative health visits looking for early stages of help for the over 65s, possible video links, and roaming doctor services identifying individual medical and core needs that may be required. There must be consideration to community and smart living with the use of technology, but we must ensure that the use of technology does not in itself isolate the very people we are trying to protect and look after.

Keep company As you are aware, while leader of the council, I set up a Local Authority Trading Company solely to focus on the care for the elderly. This is a company that although owned by the council, will function entirely as a separate identity, but on council principles of decent care, dignity and kindness, with properly trained staff which will deliver care of excellence. I am pleased that the current administration, after many arguments, has now accepted my plans for adult social care, but unfortunately they are stalling on the need for extra care housing â&#x20AC;&#x201C; another example of not looking ahead to the oncoming need for this type of facility.

by Ron Woodley Independent Councillor for Thorpe Ward

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Advertorial

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Chocolate and Orange Tart

FOOD

Chocolate and orange go so well together and make a really good dessert to use over the Christmas period. This one uses ready-made pastry so you don’t have to make your own – just set the thick, orangy custard in the fridge. Enjoy!

Ingredients (cuts into 12)

• 375g pack of sweet shortcrust pastry • 2 tbsp cocoa powder • plain flour, for dusting • 5 medium oranges, zest and juice kept separate • 300ml double cream • 4 eggs, beaten • 85g caster sugar • 85g dark chocolate (70% cocoa solids) • 2 tbsp golden syrup Method 1. Tear the pastry into a food processor, add the cocoa, pulse until combined, then knead a few times on a floured surface until evenly brown. Use to line a 23cm fluted tart tin and prick the

ORACLE estate planning

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base several times with a fork. Chill until very firm. Heat oven to 200°C/fan 180°C/Gas Mark 6. 2. Put the tin on a baking sheet then line the pastry case with overhanging baking parchment. Fill with baking beans and bake for 15 mins or until the sides of the pastry have set firm. Remove the beans and parchment, and bake for 10 mins more until the pastry feels dry all over. Leave to cool. 3. Strain the orange juice, then measure 250ml into a heavy-based saucepan. Add 200ml of cream and heat until just boiling. Whisk the eggs and sugar in a bowl, then gradually whisk the hot cream into the mix. Wipe out the pan, return the custard to it and cook gently for about 10 mins over a low heat, whisking frequently until thick enough to coat the back of a spoon. Strain into a jug, whisk in the zest and pour the custard into the pastry case. Cool, then chill for at least 4 hrs, or overnight, until set. 4. Melt the chocolate, syrup and remaining cream together until smooth, spoon some over the tart then return the tart to the fridge. Serve the rest of the drizzle warm for spooning aside the chilled tart. by Judy Barden

Next month: S moked Haddock, Leek and Potato Chowder

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** ACCID ENT EMERG ENCY ** We have been informed that there is a consultation Something on n Hospital. your mind? on whether to consolidate A&E at Basildo already has n decisio the , sources According to our Consult the Or acle by been made and this will be a disaster for people sending your this end of town. Can you imagine how long it would letters to: info@oraclepu take to get to Basildon Hospital in a rush hour blications.co. uk from Thorpe Bay and Shoeburyness, especially with residents that are in a trauma situation? I cannot as believe that the CCG are telling us that it is just safe in an emergency to go to Basildon as opposed to Southend A&E. Again, according to my source at the hospital it will put patients at considerable risk. my We need to mobilise against these plans, therefore question is this: Will our MP support the people of Southend if we wish not to have any of our A&E consolidated

LOCAL LETTERS

at Basildon?

- Cllr Ron Woodley

======== TRACK RECORD ========

Well, we had a good couple of months of unusually enjoyable service while Abellio Greater Anglia fought c2c to keep the Liverpool Street line contract but what a return to form afterwards! Improvements on the line, late departures, point failures, missing drivers … if it’s not one thing it’s another. I’ve tried signing up for the text message alerts but they come so infrequently and are of little use when they do, and if your train isn’t cancelled, the bumpy

ride and violent juddering will make you wish it had been. As for line improvements – well, of course it seems like an improvement after the ‘improvements’ have ended and stop negatively impacting on the service! Clearly the solution is to renew the contract on a monthly

basis and ensure that the pressure is kept on Abellio to maintain the standard that they have already shown they are capable of providing. NB: This is not a reflection of the staff on the front line (if you’ll pardon the pun), who are always pleasant and professional. - Tim

THE SHOWS MUST GO ON! --------------------We are so very fortunate to have not one but two excellent theatres in Southend, the Cliffs Pavilion and the older and much more traditional Palace Theatre. Both venues regularly feature leading names from the world of showbusiness, with shows, plays and concerts that rival West End productions. They are such a great asset that everything possible should be done to let visitors to the town know where they are and how to easily reach them. The Cliffs Pavilion has some limited off road parking, a large car park nearby and parking on the seafront below, a c2c station in easy walking distance and a bus stop outside listed on Arriva’s website. In contrast, the Palace Theatre has no off road parking and although buses stop outside the theatre, the bus stop itself is listed on timetables as The Plough. As a longterm resident, I know that The Plough is a well known landmark and is right next to the theatre but visitors don’t have this local knowledge. It would really help if bus companies could consider adding the words (for the Palace Theatre) to their bus timetables in future. The Palace Theatre is an absolute gem and should be featured prominently in the town’s Mrs R. top places to visit.

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ŚƌŝƐƚŵĂƐ 'ŝĨƚ /ĚĞĂƐ ŶŐĞůŝĐ ZĞŝŬŝ͕ ƌǇƐƚĂů ,ĞĂůŝŶŐ͕ ZĂŚĂŶŶŝ ƌǇƐƚĂůƐ ƌǇƐƚĂů :ĞǁĞůůĞƌǇ ŶŐĞů 'ŝĨƚƐ /ŶĐĞŶƐĞ Θ ^ƉĂĐĞ ůĞĂƌŝŶŐ /ƚĞŵƐ ĂŶĚůĞƐ ^Ăůƚ >ĂŵƉƐ ŽŽŬƐ͕ ĂƌĚƐ Θ Ɛ DĞĚŝƚĂƚŝŽŶ 'ƌŽƵƉƐ Θ tŽƌŬƐŚŽƉƐ ǁǁǁ͘ƚŚĞͲĐƌǇƐƚĂůͲƚƌĞĞ͘ĐŽ͘ƵŬ

Healing for Mind Body and Soul

December 2016 www.oraclepublications.co.uk

Where pets truly come first!

bubbles pet care

. com

“The Home of Healthy Pet Food”

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Formerly Leigh Pet Centre

HOT SPOT – Where am I?

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Stockists of quality pet foods from James Wellbeloved, Burns, Barking/Meowing Heads, Natural Dog Food Company, Arden Grange, Orijen, Markus Muhle Loyalty card scheme, Healthy food and treats Vast range of accessories Newly Refurbished

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36/38 Broadway, Leigh on Sea, Essex SS9 1AJ T: 01702 831286 & 17 high Street, Ongar, Essex CM5 9DS 01277 366182

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SUDOKU – Fill in the grid so

GOOD

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.

WILL

CONUNDRUM – Unscramble to solve the clue.

Clue: A hot spot for Santa sightings! Last month’s solutions: HOT SPOT – Memorial, Chapel Road, Shoebury Garrison WORD LADDER – BURNBURSFURSFUSSFUSE CONUNDRUM – FIREWORKS

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1 5 3 6 2 8 4 9 7

4 9 2 7 1 5 3 8 6

www.oraclepublications.co.uk

December 2016

MIC

2017

TIO

R NA L P

NEW YEAR’S EVE

Our great Christmas menu is running from Monday to Friday from December 1st to Christmas Eve!

See in 2017 with canapes and champagne on arrival and a three course meal. There’s also entertainment all night long with a live pianist and singer and then a disco from 11pm till late! Saturday 31st December

Lunch: 2 courses £17.95, 3 courses £19.95 Evening: 2 courses £20.95, 3 courses £22.95

Starters Chicken liver pate - onion chutney - truffle butter - toasted brioche Lobster cocktail - Cornish crab - vanilla - avocado Scallop yakitori - bacon jam - yuzu mayonnaise - kinako Whipped goats cheese - roast squash & pumpkin seeds - pumpkin jam

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 Aged fillet of beef (served pink) - slow cooked & crispy onions - truffle - chive mayonnaise Roast English rack of lamb - BBQ lamb ragu - mint jelly - caramelised roots Roast wild sea bass - Cornish crab - spring onion dashi Wild mushroom tart - winter truffle & parmesan (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)

*For the table - gratin potatoes & hand cut chips*

Desserts Yuzu meringue pie - custard - jelly Millionaire short bread - caramel mousse - candied hazelnut Tiramisu - coffee parfait - mascarpone - dark chocolate aero White chocolate & passion fruit delice - Champagne jelly - coconut meringue British cheeses - grapes - red wine jelly - biscuits (£2.50 supplement)

£75 per ticket - Over 18s only

Desserts Chocolate & baileys crémeux - coffee cracker & syrup Gingerbread brûlée - cranberry sorbet - BBQ clementine Christmas pudding - brandy custard - boozy fruits & nuts Classic sherry trifle - almonds - custard - sherry jelly British cheeses - grapes - red wine jelly - biscuits The Anchor Riverside Ferry Road, Hullbridge, Essex SS5 6ND

UA L I T NQ Y

CHRISTMAS MENU

BIB GOURMAND

Pub & Restaurant

CELEBRATE THE FESTIVE SEASON WITH US!

MICHELIN

THE ANCHOR RIVERSIDE

LIVE MUSIC

With one of the UK’s fastest emerging jazz singers Joe Gibson! Friday 2nd and Friday 16th December l

theanchorhullbridge.co.uk

01702 230 777

December 2016 www.oraclepublications.co.uk

www.OracleCreativeMedia.com

Oﬀering London skills at local prices …

Website Design Print & Design Email Services Standard, E-commerce and Database Websites

Business Cards • Flyers/Brochures Brand Management

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

Uptomen

Menswear & Accessories 81 Broadway Leigh-on-Sea 01702 715335

Is it sometimes hard to find him the perfect gift for Christmas? Let us be your one stop shop for the Men in your life.

Responsive, Targeted Campaigns Analytical Reporting

Call us on 01702 393838 y ilit iab nce L ll ra Fu nsu I

MIKE’s

Tree Services Est. 1982

Felling Pollarding Shaping Pruning Shrub/Hedge Trimming Friendly & Reliable Service

For a FREE Quotation call Mike

01702 305217 07505 794203

www.oraclepublications.co.uk

December 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

Tel/Fax: 01702 435722 Mobile 07903 301086 airandback@yahoo.co.uk

CITY H STANSTED H GATWICK H LUTON H HEATHROW

December 2016 www.oraclepublications.co.uk

WHAT’S ON Fantastic 4D Light Show FREE Sat 3rd–10th Dec, 5–8pm. Southend High Street SS1 1DG, near the railway bridge. Responsible Dog Owner Day FREE Tues 6th Dec, 10am– 1pm. Chalkwell Park, Westcliff SS0 8NB. Free micro-chipping and special guests. fb: makesouthendsparkle Christmas Charity Fayre FREE Thurs 8th Dec, 11am–3pm. Civic Centre, Victoria Ave, Southend SS2 6ER. Gifts & raffle. Christmas Concert FREE Thurs 8th Dec, 8pm, St Michael and All Angels Church, 62 Leigh Rd, Leigh SS9 1LF. John Seeley’s Jazz and Christmas tunes with refreshments. Santa on the Pier Every weekend + the week before Xmas, 10am–6pm. Southend Pier. £10 per child. 01702 215620. Bling Your Bauble FREE Sat 10th Dec, Victoria Shopping Centre, Southend, SS2 5SP. Create a unique decoration at the pop-up station and enjoy mulled wine and a mince pie. Parks Nursery Open Day FREE Sat 10th Dec, 10am–4pm. Wakering Rd, Southend SS3 0PZ. Stunning plants & flowers. Christmas Craft Fair FREE Sat 10th Dec, 10am–1.30pm. Leigh Community Centre, 71–73 Elm Road, Leigh SS9 1SP. Carols on Strand Wharf FREE Sat 10th Dec, Strand Wharf, Leigh SS9 2DN. Mince pies for all. Bring torch to read carols. Carols for Christmas FREE Sat 10th Dec, 11am–5pm. Royals Shopping Centre, Southend SS1 1DG. Sat 17th Dec, 11am–5pm. Victoria Shopping Centre, Southend SS2 5SP. Light Up A Life FREE Sat 10th Dec, 3pm, Southend Crem., Sutton Rd SS2 5PX. Choir. Light a candle for a loved one. Spooky Christmas Cult Night Sun 11th Dec, 6.30pm. TAP, The Old Waterworks, North Rd, Southend SS0 7AB. Christmas horror film double feature, £5. WI Southchurch Village Friends Meeting Every 2nd Monday, 7.30pm. The Hamstel Children & Families Centre, Hamstel Rd, Southend SS2 4PQ. 12th Dec: Wreath-making. Bella Voce – Lunchtime Recital FREE Wed 14th Dec, 12.15–1pm. Council Chamber, Civic Centre, Victoria Avenue, Southend SS2 6ER. All welcome, retiring collection. Leigh-on-Sea Christmas Farmers’ Market FREE Sat 17th Dec, 8.30–11.30am. Leigh Community Centre, 71–73 Elm Road, Leigh SS9 1SP. Festive fayre and entertainment. Santa at Belfairs 17th–21st Dec, 9.30am–4.30pm. Belfairs Woodland Centre, Vardon Drive, Leigh SS9 3TZ. Crafts and Santa. £8 per child, booking essential. www.essexwt.org.uk Christmas Fun Sat 17th Dec, 11am–12.30pm. Southchurch Library, 221 Lifstan Way, Southend SS1 2XG. Games, stories, face painting and fancy dress. £3 per child. Reindeer Rock FREE Sat 17th Dec, Victoria Shopping Centre, Southend SS2 5SP. Balloon modelling and antler making! Community Carol Concert FREE Sun 18th Dec, 2pm, Bandstand, Priory Park, Victoria Avenue, Southend SS2 6ND. Winter Enchanted Workshop FREE Fri 23rd Dec, Victoria Shopping Centre, Southend SS2 5SP. Face painting, magic tricks from Misterfied and making Christmas accessories. RNLI Boxing Day Dip Mon 26th Dec, 10.30am, Jubilee Beach, Marine Parade, Southend SS1 2EW. £5 inc. hot drink and pie.

www.oraclepublications.co.uk

December 2016

DON’T Leave it to chance...

“MAKE SURE YOUR PROPERTY IS AS SAFE AS IT CAN BE”

FREE Crime Prevention Risk Assessment FREE Crime Prevention Risk Assessment FREE Crime Prevention Risk Assessment

ACT NOW, BEFORE IT’S TOO LATE! Brights LOCKSMITHS Ltd T. 01702Ͳ346Ͳ274

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December 2016 www.oraclepublications.co.uk

Thames Estuary Lacemakers Westcliff-on-Sea Cricket Club Westcliff Poetry Prose Lyric Club Westcliff Rugby Club Woodside Bowling Club