December Thorpe Bay Oracle by Oracle Publications

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Thorpe Bay

December ‘11

ORACLE Thorpe Bay at a glance Est. Sept 2005. Circulation 4,500

Oracle Competition WIN! Sports Helmets by Hardnutz Total value £180

Local Issues

The True Cost of Local Bureaucracy

Recipe Freeze ahead Beef Bourgignon

Oracle Motoring

Is your car ready for Winter?

Health & Beauty Surviving Christmas

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Thorpe Bay

OR ACLE

publisher’s letter

nother lively night planned this Christmas in Thorpe Bay Broadway, again bringing the community together whilst raising money for Havens Hospices and Help for Heroes. Great entertainment planned. The event will take place on Monday 19 December from 5pm to 8pm. If you are unable to attend and wish to make a donation please visit:

www.bmycharity.com/ThorpeChristmasTogether

Oracle thanks Thorpe Bay Poetry Group who has kindly donated one of their poems to share with all of you. An additional useful piece of information I have included is a diary of the Rubbish days for the Christmas and New Year period which I felt would be very handy for every household during this busy time, see p53. Lastly, no Oracle would be complete without the competition and this month it has been kindly donated by Hardnutz. 1st Prize would be a ski helmet plus goggles (£100) 2nd prize Road helmet (£50) and 3rd prize Street helmet (£30) The winners will also be able to choose the design or their helmets so check out Hardnutz website to see a different selection of helmets. www.hardnutz.com To enter, simply send your contact details to: Oracle/Hardnutz Competition. 39 Alexandra Street, Southend. SS1 1BW. Closing date is Monday 19th December. Happy Christmas! Emma Wynne-Morgan Publisher

01702 393838

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ORACLE content Local Issues The True Cost of Local Bureaucracy By Ron Woodley

9/10

Men,Want to get the seX Factor? Hair & Beauty by Craig Smith

Ensure your Pension Pot lasts

Money Matters by Jacqui Moyies

The Only Way is Africa! by Malcolm Cooper

Be Bold, Be Blue, Be Brave By J’s Hospice

Is your car ready for Winter? Oracle Motoring by Stuart Winder

Freeze ahead Beef Bourgignon Judy’s Recipe Page

Keep Calm and Carey on? Cultured Club by Tracy Jones

Surviving Christmas Health & Beauty by Cris Ramis

NEW! The Sea Poetry Corner by Eve Bunyan

Christmas Waste Collection Dates

Sudoku

Diary Dates

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Useful Numbers Advertiser Index

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Local Issues

The True Cost of Local Bureaucracy? W

hen asked to write an article for this months Oracle, I thought it should be something that readers could talk about over the dinner table with friends and family.

There are a number of certainties in life birth, death and taxes to name a few. Well there is another certainty - the government says local government is costing far more than necessary. They seem to think the only way to increase efficiency is to cut funding. Councils across the country are now re-examining their budgets and the ways in which they deliver services to residents. The funding deficit for Southend Council from central government is £35m. We all want increased efficiency, but it is also important that in managing these budget reductions the Council does not compromise front line services to residents. In January 2010 Southend Council’s Audit Committee (whose terms of reference are to provide independent scrutiny of the council’s financial performance and oversee the financial reporting process) met and recommended the adoption of zero-basebudgeting. DECEMBER 2011

Many Government Departments and Councils across the country have already adopted the technique of zero-based budgeting to establish the true cost base of the organisation and then review the base line every 5 years. After a (lengthy and inexplicable) delay, the Audit Report was finally submitted to Southend’s Cabinet in September 2011. However, the Finance department recommended that zero-base-budgeting should not go ahead and therefore should not be accepted by the administration. There reasons were. n

Extremely more time-consuming than incremental budgeting; and required budget holders to be fully conversant and engaged with financial management of their budget areas.

However, the report ignored many of the key advantages:n

efficient allocation of resources (as it is based on needs and benefits rather than history);

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detects inflated budgets; helps to identify areas of wasteful expenditure; drives managers to find cost effective ways to improve operations; increases staff motivation by providing greater initiative and responsibility in decision–making; increases communication and coordination within the organisation; identifies and eliminates wasteful and obsolete functions; and forces budget holders to identify their relationship to business goals.

Personally, I do not believe that budget holders are not fully conversant or engaged in the financial management of their budgets. I also find it incredible that the advice of an Audit Committee is ignored, what other organisation either private or public would contemplate ignoring the advice of an audit committee?

The administration for whatever reason did not want to contemplate an alternative form of budgeting, which is their prerogative, but it is also every resident’s right to ask why, over the last four years, has the council’s employee costs risen by 16.3% to £72.9m and why in the last two years employee costs have exceeded their original budgets by £3.8m. What I believe is that we need to re-think the way this Council is structured. The torturous decision making process needs to go because we can no longer afford the luxury of both layers of management and consultants in the guise of interim managers, with the financial burden continually being borne by the local tax payer.

Yes, the cuts in funding by central government are both painful and also unavoidable.The administration knows what our funding levels will be in three years time and its management structure should be inline with that funding. Why not promote Given the way the Finance department’s employees from within and use their local comments, one is left wondering if senior knowledge and their enthusiasm instead of officers do not really want change or is the using interims. In doing this, employee’s situation one of financial naivety? Has the morale is improved rather than being Finance department by making this devastated by the continuing cuts. Also the recommendation identified weaknesses in Council can promote a real interest in the management structure and financial working for the benefit of the town and the impact on residents over the next two years systems that have not been apparent? would be minimal. Councillor Ron Woodley

Continually, this administration states that over the years they have made savings through efficiencies. Yet when I look at past trends of departmental budgets I find no evidence of this. What I do find is the continued increase in borrowings and the rise in interest payments which will be in excess of £10m this year. Given the pressure from Government one can only hope that this Council’s administration will listen to Councillors concerns and take the decisions that are now required.

Councillor Ron Woodley 10

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Oracle Hair & Beauty

Men, want to get the seX Factor? It’s time to make a clean Sweep

t’s a phenomenon we hairdressers normally only notice in our lady clients – women coming to the salon clutching pages torn from magazines and asking us to recreate the ‘Rachel ‘(Jennifer Aniston’s eponymous Friends hairdo) or Keira Knightly’s pixie crop. But something has changed in Southend. All of a sudden the men of our town seem to be taking a keen interest in their grooming – and it’s all thanks to a handsome chap who’s been lighting up our TV screens every Saturday and Sunday night.

age being picked out by the papers as one of the stylish men in the UK, he’s become something of a role model for men of a certain age who would look daft trying to dress like One Direction.” He added: “He also seems like a bloke you’d like to go down the pub for a beer with. If you did that with One Direction, you’d just feel like their dad.” As Miranda Hart would say, Gary Barlow clearly has ‘The allure.’

If I had a pound for every time in the past month a sheepish bloke with developing facial stubble has arrived in Grateful Heads and said - in the most macho way possible, of course - ‘Um, if you can sort of ... ahem .. sweep it over to the side at the front and cut it short at the sides....Cough ... a bit like Gary Barlow’ I would be as rich as the man himself.

Glamour Magazine recently published an article called ’30 Reasons Why we Love Gary Barlow’ which sheds some light on it. The article talks about his candid, firm but fair approach to judging. No one's critique is quite so cutting - but no one’s praise is quite so honest, meaningful and heartfelt, either. He is talented as a singer, songwriter and businessman, yet still lovely to his fans. And not forgetting the slightly sarcastic eyebrow

Yes, it seems there is a rather big bromance going on between the men of Essex and the Take That front man. So what is it about the 40-year old from Cheshire that has struck such a chord, and is making hairdressers everywhere refer to the ‘Barlow Sweep’?

But most importantly, like a fine wine or gourmet cheese, Gary Barlow has continued to improve with age – and that is something real men aspire too.

I asked my friend – 44-year old Adam – who’d himself recently become the proud owner of a ‘Barlow Sweep.’ He told me: “I think it’s the fact that he is the same age as me and is not afraid to have a sensible haircut and wear a beard – he dresses well and looks good. So much in the media we see about younger blokes and how they look, so to see someone of my

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Advertorial

Young Shakespeare Company brings learning to life

ear 10 pupils at Thorpe Hall School have begun an exciting new qualification, available for the first time back in September. The IGCSE certificate, which pupils have started in English Language and English Literature, puts the emphasis on choice, freedom and flexibility, allowing teachers to tailor the course to suit individual learners.

Head of English, Mr Philip White said, ‘An important reason for the early adoption of the new qualification is the way in which it develops Thorpe Hall’s ‘competency-based curriculum’. Central to this philosophy is the idea that pupils need to develop skills which are the foundation of effective learning. Through an emphasis on the need to develop their competencies pupils learn to be independent learners, better able to apply reasoning and problem solving. Pupils’ understanding of the need for these competencies is clear as they become more rounded and complete learners.‘ A challenging but stimulating aspect of the new IGCSE certificate in English Language is the coursework task. Guided by their teacher, pupils source a range of short texts themselves, related by a theme they choose. The choice of this theme can genuinely accommodate a

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pupil’s individual interest or passion. ‘A sports enthusiast could, for example, source a text about the Olympic rings as a symbol. She or he could then use further text choices to evaluate whether the Olympic ideals remain strong as we approach 2012.’ said Mr White. ‘I really enjoyed it. Traditional texts still feature, although again, a feature of the new qualification is the breathing space to deepen pupils’ understanding through a wide variety of approaches. Year 10 pupils recently enjoyed a fast-paced, interactive version of Romeo and Juliet by the Young Shakespeare Company. For 90 minutes, the energetic company of four put pupils’ ideas into practice and even gave opportunities for some lucky volunteers to become part of the action. They made it memorable and showed that you can make the language moving and entertaining.’ said Aron Davidsson, Year 10.

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Education is not preparation for life; education is life itself. John Dewey

forward thinking Here at Thorpe Hall, we hold traditional values dear but we keep a clear and consistent focus on a brighter future. This is a progressive and forward thinking school for a modern world; a place where new ideas and initiatives are always explored and embraced. Our teaching style is founded on support, guidance and a love of learning and our pupils are actively encouraged to become strong, independent thinkers. Our aim is to bring life to education as well as bringing education to life. Thorpe Hall - for girls and boys from nursery to GCSE

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Money Matters

Ensure your Pension Pot lasts as long as you do

nce in a blue moon your local newspaper salutes a local resident who has reached the grand-old age of 100. Yet by all accounts, local papers may soon have to devote an entire weekly page to people living to 100 because we are living much longer. It will lighten many moods to learn that nearly a fifth of people living in the UK today are expected to celebrate their 100th birthday. That’s around 10 million people.

(Source:http://www.dwp.gov.uk/newsroom/pressreleases/2010/dec-2010/dwp186-10-301210.shtml)

The figure is well up on the 11,800 people in the UK who are currently at least 100. (Source: Number of Future Centenarians, DWP, December 2010). But of course, people living longer will have an impact on our pensions and long term care systems and, perhaps more importantly, it will greatly affect your own plans. Many people may have an assortment of different pension schemes having worked for different employers, while many will have also made the most of their Pep, Tessa and Isa tax allowances over the years. They need to turn this non-pension money into an income stream that might be needed for another 30 to 40 years. There are also tax implications to consider. Investors need to ensure they are using all their

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available tax-free allowances and ensuring they are paying as little tax as they need. The traditional ways of planning for retirement are past their sell-by date. How lavish, comfortable or tough your retirement years will be is going to be down to you. You simply cannot afford to rely on the state or your employer any more - generous final salary schemes are fast disappearing. That’s why it is important to get planning early. Establish what your state pension entitlement is likely to be. Examine whether you are on track or whether you may have to consider making extra contributions. Many companies contribute far less now, putting the onus on the employee to boost their pension pot. It is great to think that we have a higher chance of living longer, but it means that we have to make our money work harder while we can – and the sooner you start the better. by Jacqui Moyies

To receive a complimentary guide covering Wealth Management Retirement Planning or Inheritance Tax Planning, contact: Jacqui on 01702 589553 Jacqui.moyies@sjpp.co.uk or visit www.sjpp.co.uk/jacquimoyies

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The Only Way Is Africa! by Malcolm Cooper

holiday of a lifetime” seemed a good way to get his friends attention – but Daniel Cooper of Parkanaur Avenue, Southend, had something more in mind than a beach break in Spain!

Inspired by visiting his sister Jenny in Kenya, who was working tirelessly with children in some of the toughest conditions in Mombasa, Daniel decided to do something to support “Glad’s House” - the small charity that are dedicated to change the lives of these vulnerable street kids. The extreme conditions that the volunteers of “Glad’s House” have to work in, demanded extreme help. Along with friends Mike, Dan, and Dell, the boys quite literally got on their bikes and began a sponsored bike ride from Tower Hill to Mombasa! Funded by themselves with the very basic of equipment; they started the journey from London, across Europe, through the Middle East, down to Africa – not bad considering they were previously unsure how to get to Dover from London! It is this worrying lack of a plan or structured route which makes this trip so remarkable; there are no support cars, tv cameras, nor team of administrators planning routes on this trip; They camp by the roadside and rely on the generosity of strangers to let them camp in their gardens. DECEMBER 2011

So far their adventure has taken them to Belgium where a group of Monks allowed them to camp in their courtyard. They got lost and cycled in circles in Luxembourg, and bathed in the River Rhine. They have reached Bulgaria, and are now on their way to Istanbul. There is an old saying that if you fail to plan you plan to fail - these boys, with very little planning are determined to help a little known charity support the street community, and rehabilitate young people back into communities -they are not going to fail these vulnerable kids! Please help the boys raise as much money as possible for Glad’s House, and help these vulnerable kids have a better life – please donate whatever you can and visit: http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/fundraiserweb/fundraiser/showFundraiserProfilePage.action?userUrl=Kenyaforchange&isTeam=true.

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Be Bold…Be Blue….Be Brave

ocal mum Trusha Parmar dyed her hair blue…then had it shaved off completely ...to raise money for a charity that is very close to her heart, The J’s Hospice. Last year, The J’s Hospice provided specialist care for Trusha’s son Milan in the last few months of his life. The J's Hospice is an emerging hospice that gives young adults across Essex the choice to receive the specialist the palliative care and support that they need in the comfort and security of their own home. Trusha said “This is quite a challenge for me as I love my long hair! But I’m doing it for an extremely worth-while cause, which is very close to my heart. My 23 year son Milan (Mili) died last November. Mili was terminally ill and during his final months, he was bedridden and needed 24-hour care. We were fortunate enough to be supported by the wonderful staff at The J’s Hospice. The service they offer is unique and a life-line for the families! The J’s were absolutely amazing at taking care of Mili and us during an extremely painful and difficult time. Without their support, we really would not have been able to cope” Trusha continued “The J’s did so much for Mili and

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my family as well as for many other families in a similar situation. They rely on donations to continue providing this special service. Hence I’m hoping my fund-raiser will help raise awareness for the great work that they do and also help with raising much needed funds, so that they can continue providing care services for other families who are in the same position.” Trusha joined other J’s Hospice supporters across Essex for their first ever J’s Day with a theme ‘Be Bold Be Blue’. Trusha has already raised over £1,500 from her brave challenge and the total is still rising. Trusha can be sponsored by visiting her Virgin Money Giving page. For more information about The J’s Hospice please call 01245 351514 or or visit www.thejshospice.org.uk

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Oracle Motoring

Is your car ready for winter? By Stuart Winder ADI

he noticeable chill in the air of late, the early sunsets and misty mornings have turned my thoughts to the preparations for winter. So, along with collating the Christmas card list and searching for the ultimate mince pie, how can you ensure that your car is ready for winter?

ever use fog lights in thick fog (visibility below 100 metres). Always carry a scraper and de-icer to clear off fresh snow or ice, and don’t forget that air conditioning will clear your windscreen more effectively than the fan.

Be on a good footing

If out in the worst weather, or travelling a long way where conditions may change, carrying the following few essential items may prevent an inconvenience from becoming an emergency: Mobile phone AA/RAC etc breakdown number Warning triangle Reflective clothing Warm clothes and boots and/or blankets Food and water or a flask of tea or coffee Jump leads Tow rope and shovel First aid kit

As with a set of sturdy boots, reliable tyres are essential for the cold season. The minimum legal tread depth is 1.6mm, but for snow or ice, 3mm or more is recommended. Remember the change of temperature will affect your tyre pressures, so ensure you consult your owner’s manual and check that they are correct. Also, feel around the tyre for damage or foreign objects as well.

Fail to prepare to prepare to fail!

n n n n n n

Keep it cool

It’s also important to check the level and mixture of coolant in the radiator reservoir. For the coldest months, a ratio of 50/50 of water/anti-freeze is recommended, and the level should always be between the minimum and maximum marks. To do this properly, you may need to drain and re-fill the system with the above ‘winter mixture’. As it is essential to ensure that there is no air left in the system, you might want a professional to take care of this for you.

n n

Next month: Winter driving tips... Stuart Winder Planet Leasing

01702 410 470

www.planetleasing.co.uk Sponsored by

See and be seen With less daylight during the winter months, make sure you check all the lights on your car (front and rear) are fully functioning, and remember to only

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THORPE BAY Oracle DEC 2011:Layout 1 25/11/2011 12:25 Page 38

recipe of the month In the Kitchen with Judy Barden

Method 1. Tip the beef into a large bowl or container with the bay leaves, thyme, wine and some pepper. Cover and leave overnight in the fridge. 2. Heat the oven to 200c/fan 180/gas 6. Place a colander over another large bowl and strain the marinated meat, keeping the wine. Heat half the oil in a large frying pan and brown the meat in batches, transferring to a plate once browned. ( the trick is not to put too many pieces of meat in at a time otherwise it will stew). Once you have browned all the meat add a little wine to the pan to deglaze it and scrape up any bits. 3. Heat the rest of the oil and fry the carrots and

Freeze ahead Beef Bourgignon

ith the Christmas Holidays fast approaching it is a good idea to get some cooking done and put in the freezer to take the pressure off. If you have a large crowd to entertain a good beef bourgignon is a great standby and goes well with mashed potato or rice. It is nearly all wine so makes a lovely rich gravy and definitely benefits from marinating overnight.

Enjoy!

onions until just start to colour. Stir in the flour and cook for 1 min, then add the tomato puree. Add the beef and any juices from the pan and the rest of the red wine and all the thyme and bay leaves. Season, bring to a simmer and then transfer to the oven and bake for 2 hours until the meat is really tender. Cool and freeze at this stage in a Tupperware type of container.

4. To serve defrost completely overnight in the fridge then place in a med oven (170/150fan/gas4) until it is hot throughout. Meanwhile heat the butter and 1 tbsp sunflower oil in a frying pan and add the onions, fry for about 10 mins then add the bacon and fry for a further 10 mins until the bacon starts to crisp and the onions colour. Add the mushrooms, fry for a further 5 mins, then stir everything into the stew and heat through. Serve scattered with the chopped parsley.

Freeze ahead Beef Bourgignon Serves 6

Next monthâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s recipe:

1.5kg/3lb 6oz braising steak, cut into large chunks 3 bay leaves bunch of thyme 2 bottles of red wine 2 tbsp sunflower oil 3 large or 6 med carrots cut into chunks 2 onions roughly chopped 3 tbsp plain flour 1 tbsp tomato puree

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Cultured Club Mistletoe. Festive music tends to skew toward older pop music consumers, and this is an audience that has yet to fully succumb to the teen heartthrob’s charms. The first single Mistletoe hit the top spot on the iTunes chart in less than a day, so he’s clearly doing something right.

Keep Calm and Carey On? Create the perfect festive mood with these Christmas albums By Tracy Jones

he decorations are on the tree, the wine is mulling and the dog is rummaging through your beautifully wrapped presents - but something is missing. There is nothing better for setting a Christmas atmosphere than popping a festive album on the stereo and singing along. Let’s take a look at what’s new to buy for 2011.... Undoubtedly the big hitter of the festive releases this year is Christmas – the fifth studio album by Canadian crooner Michael Bublé. Several wellknown artists have joined him to sing a series of duets, such as White Christmas with country singer Shania Twain. He has also recorded covers of Mariah Carey's All I Want for Christmas Is You, traditional songs like Jingle Bells and Blue Christmas, and a brand new track, Cold December Night. It sold 141,000 copies in its first week of release and is sure to be a chart topper - I already have my copy, and can confirm that it is absolutely cracking. A Christmas collection seems a wise move for 17-year old Justin Bieber, who offers us Under the

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The legendary singer-songwriter Carole King has recently revitalized her career through touring with James Taylor and appearing on American Idol. A Holiday Carole is her first studio album in 10 years and features a selection of festive standards (Sleigh Ride) intermingled with new songs and some surprise choices (My Favourite Things from The Sound of Music). Jersey Boys has been a smash hit since debuting on Broadway in 2005. However Seasons Greetings: A Jersey Boy Christmas is more a tribute to 50's and 60's style pop than simply the trademark Four Seasons influences. However, it takes those trademark harmonies and marries them with your favourite Christmas numbers to produce an album that is a must for fans of that era. Paul Anka has a recording career that spans 55 years, and in recent years he has gained acclaim for his swing recordings of pop standards. His new collection – Songs of December - boasts lush arrangements, full orchestration and includes perennial favourites such as Let It Snow, Winter Wonderland, and White Christmas. Remarkably this is the first seasonal recording from the American icon in over fifty years. And finally, if you own the first Glee Christmas album then you know exactly what you are getting with Glee: The Music, the Christmas Album Volume 2. This may be the seasonal release that brings out the Gleek in you. You have been warned…

Enjoy!

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S O FA S

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Health & Beauty

Surviving Christmas by Cris Ramis

etting through the festive season can feel like running a marathon, with the endless round of parties, lunches and visits to friends and relatives leaving you exhausted and run down. Here are some ideas to help you enjoy Christmas and avoid that New Year hangover.

Think right Have fun! Live life with a ‘glass is half full’ attitude and cultivate an outlook that’s generally positive, happy, and attractive – and will also help keep you healthy.

wonderful source of vitamins and iron, and are in plentiful supply, so have an extra spoonful of them and one less roast spud.

Get an early night To help your body detoxify and maintain optimum health, you need around eight hours of quality sleep daily. Aim to be in bed with the light off by 10.30pm as often as you can during December. From 10pm-2am your body carries out a lot of physical repair, and from 2am to 6am its mental repair.

Breathe right

Exercise

Good health starts with good breathing. You can’t do much without oxygen, and if you aren’t breathing diaphragmatically (i.e. into your belly), you aren’t filling the lungs to capacity with the O2 it needs. Breathe more deeply as a general rule and you’ll energise yourself and be more relaxed.

Your body was designed to move, so do it. Use your muscle or lose it, and the same applies to your body’s health. Can’t face a gym or health club? Then train at home or take a brisk walk with the dog along the beach. Don’t just wait until Christmas Day to walk off your lunch, go for a bracing stroll at any and every opportunity! Do it regularly to develop general health and fitness.

Drink right Drink water and plenty of it. Avoid teas (excluding organic, herbal tea), coffee, fruit juice and – as best as you can – too much alcohol, as they will all dehydrate you. If you know that you’ll be spending time with a group of bon viveurs, either ask for a glass of water with your alcoholic drink or go for a long and much diluted one, such as a Spritzer or G & T.

Learn to relax Build in some daily ‘me’ time where you can chill out, relax or meditate i.e. 30-minutes of daytime walking in nature or at least natural light will help recharge your batteries for another big night ahead. Sponsored by

Eat right Avoid processed foods and drinks as much as possible. White processed dairy, grains, salt and sugars all have a negative effect on the body. Keep the bad things balanced with as much locally grown, organic food as possible. Sprouts are a

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Poetry Corner

The Sea The sea it is said is a mass of salt water Of the earth’s surface bare, it leaves just a quarter We try hard to fathom its depths and its moods And the fierce and spray sometimes it exudes.

When you’re bemused or bewildered the saying it goes ‘Life a ship on the ocean’ as everyone knows The ships now get bigger and bigger each year When on them you travel there’s nothing to fear!

We watch it with awe as the tide ebbs and flows We love it or hate it, its highs and its lows It can kill in a moment when freezing and rough But people who love it – just can’t get enough.

But when in a yacht in the wind and the rain It’s likely you may say ‘No never again’ And yet when it’s sunny and the land is too hot There’s nothing that’s nicer than a trip on a yacht.

Some days when it’s sunny it sparkles and shines But you really can’t trust it, you must read the signs. It can turn in an instant from gentle to frantic These are the times when it’s not so romantic.

By Eve Bunyan. From the book UNI-VERSE, poems for a peaceful place by Thorpe Bay Poetry Group. In aid of Peaceful Place.

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ORACLE Diary Dates CAROLS FOR CHRISTMAS FREE At Southend Town Centre. Join Southend Radio for some festive cheer as Southend-on-Sea High Street comes to life with the sound of Christmas! This year we will be joined by the Salvation Army, Funky Voices and Southend Youth Arts plus many more! Stop, listen and join in as your favourite Christmas songs and carols are performed throughout the day at various locations in the Town Centre. SOUTHEND BAND CHRISTMAS CAROL FREE CONCERT AT SOUTHEND BANDSTAND Sunday 18th Dec, Bandstand Priory Park, 2-3pm Christmas Carol Concert. THORPE'S CHRISTMAS TOGETHER FREE Monday 19th Dec, 5-8pm, with a road closure from 2pm.Thorpe Bay Broadway. Singing, dancing, wine tasting, Santa, raffle and more...In aid of Havens Hospices and Help for Heroes MERRY STREETMAS Friday 16th December: 7.30pm Saturday 17th December: 2.30pm & 7.30pm A wonderful all-round singing, drama and street dance extravaganza which promises to be fun for the whole family this Christmas! Directed by Katie Carroll Tickets £7 - no concessions. 01702 328335 ST AUGUSTINES CHURCH EVENTS FREE Sunday 4th - Children’s Christingle starting in the Church Hall at 3:30 pm Sunday 18th - A Traditional Service of Lessons and Carols 6:30 pm MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING Thurs 8th Dec - Sat 10th Dec, Clifftown Theatre, Nelson Street, Southend 7:30pm each evening with 2:30pm Saturday matinee A seasonal slapstick, screwball production of Shakespeare's popular comedy as the self-professed, eternal batchelors Beatrice and Benedick fight it out. Directed by Helen Leblique £8.00 / £5.00 Concession. 01702 328335

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Advertorial

Charity week just keeps on growing! H

ere at Shoeburyness High School it has been an annual tradition for the Year 12 and 13 students to hold a charity week, and every year it gets bigger and better and raises more and more money for worthy causes. It’s the students’ way of putting something back into their community, whilst making complete fools of themselves at the same time! This year the Year 12 and 13 students organised the widest range of fund raising activities we’ve ever had, from the genuinely useful (many grimy cars belonging to staff were given a thorough clean this week!) to the not so useful. (gaining revenge for years of physical abuse by putting PE teachers into the stocks and soaking them with cold wet sponges!) We had students frantically baking cakes each day to sell to the other year groups and raffles for enormous cakes or cuddly bears. We had eating challenges and hulahoop record breaking competitions, guess the number of sweets in the jar and lucky dips: but by far the most popular event was once again our very own ‘Shoebury’s Got Talent’ compe-

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tition. Playing to a packed hall of 300 students a day for 5 days, with students giving donations, we were dazzled and amazed by the wealth of talented singers, dancers and musicians in our school. The winner of each daily heat went through to the final on the Friday of the week, at which a very closely fought competition was won by a seriously impressive display of break dancing from Cameron Stanley from year 7. The week was rounded off as usual with a fancy dress display by the students who indulged their secret fantasies of playing superheroes or dastardly villains, famous singers or damsels in distress (quite worryingly, rather more boys chose the Snow White option this year!!?) and serenaded the rest of the school form the balcony in the Singleton centre with a rousing rendition of ‘Yellow Submarine’ by The Beatles. The choice of the song was inspired by the charity chosen by the students this year: The RNLI. However, following the tragic car

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accident which has left one of our best loved students, Reece Clarke, severely injured and in desperate need of after care, it was decided to divide the donations between the RNLI and Reece’s family trust set up for his care. Jim Mackie, chairman of the Southend Lifeboat branch attended our Year 12 open evening and he was delighted to receive a cheque for £1,000.00. The remaining £1,700.00, aided by a whole school non uniform day, will be donated to Reece’s trust. Praise and thanks go the Senior Prefect Team and year 12 prefects who ensured this years events were masterfully organised. Like all our

Post 16 students we, as a school, are immensely proud of their achievements. Head Boy meets Princess Royal at Buckingham Palace Joe Stone, Head Boy at Shoeburyness High School, was invited along with eight other teenagers from South Essex St John Ambulance to an event hosted at Buckingham Palace by HRH Princess Royal. The r eception honoured Joe for his outstanding contribution to St John, which he has served in for over 6 years; a fitting tribute to add to the many awards and accolades Joe has already deservedly earned for tirelessly offering his time, effort and expertise in all he does. We are immensely proud to have Joe as our Head Boy and this event just shows that Royal family thinks the same way too!

Shoeburyness High School DECEMBER 2011

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Winter Sale Starts 10am Boxing Day

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