Digest-July 2025

“Digest” – July, 2025

The object of government is the happiness of the common man.

( William, Lord Beveridge ).

National Pensioner’s Convention.

Very pleased to report that the NPC have successfully become Incorporated as a Company, Limited by Guarantee.and have been registered at Companies House. This will enable them to apply for significant grants. Issy Isaacs will be stepping down as an Executive Member and as a delegate to the London Regional Council from March next year. 

Last month’s Meeting:

We enjoyed an interesting talk from Tessa Madejcyzk of Silvertime Legal on Estate Planning. An important subject covering Wills, Lasting Power of Attorney, Joint Tenants and Tenants in Common. Tessa made the subject more easy to understand and even amusing in places. Also, she was willing to stay and talk to individual Members during the tea break.

In Committee:

Our new President, Jill Allen-King, advised us that The Southend Area Bus Users Group AGM has been rearranged for the 15^th. November at their usual venue, the Salvation Army Citadel in Clarence Street, off the High Street in Southend from 10.30 am. All our Members are welcome. Jill mentioned that work on the C2C Chalkwell

and Southend East Stations may not be completed until later than planned.

Our Chair, Jean Howes mentioned: – Age Concern (Southend):- Haven’s Community Hub. Free Falls Prevention and Pilates classes plus coffee and conversation sessions are on offer. The July timetable is available, copies can be supplied on request call 01702 345373 or email enquiry@ageconcern.co.uk  Thanks to Alan Grubb.  

Jean also mentioned Digital Learning:- Barclays is offering a free website to grow your digital and money skills. They aim to make digital and financial literacy easy, accessible and empowering.  Barclays Digital Wings | Digital learning – your way  is the link. You don’t need to be a Barclay’s customer to take part, It is simple to sign up, Jean has already done it. There are extensive tutorials to choose from essential skills to organising your files and using Google.

Joseph Toomey Charitable Trust. This is a new SAVS partnership to support older people in the community with repair costs aimed at keeping people in their own homes for longer. Joseph Toomey Charitable Foundation Call Jean on Southend 341047 for a chat about how the scheme works.

Our Secretary, Sue Stacey and all the Committee thanked Margaret Haydon for all her hard work in arranging the catering for our 40^th Anniversary celebration. Sue had received a photo of the seat with plaques in Prittlewell Square giving information that Manny and Rita Weiss founded The Southend and District Pensioners Campaign in  1985.

Join us in the celebrations on Wednesday 15^th October 2025 at 2.00pm.

Marketing SDPC:

If you know of any local charity or voluntary organisation who may host an indoor community networking event or an open day, please let us know. We would be keen to attend to advertise our Campaign and meet other campaigning groups in the area.

Campaigning:

We are campaigning to keep our pavements clear of obstructions and trip hazards. However, this is not progressing as it should, as we have had no feed-back from our Members.

The Committee felt the Campaign Members should discuss whether to choose a different issue to campaign on.  

Dates for your Diary:

Jazz Centre UK. Live concerts on most Saturday afternoons. 2pm till 4pm. Beecroft Art Gallery, Victoria Avenue, Southend. SS2. Tickets £10-£15.

Southend Central Museum. Victoria Avenue, Southend. The Princely Burial. A permanent exhibition.

Southend Council Concert Series. Monthly serious music concerts continue, but the venues now alternate. Friday evenings. From 8pm.Book by phone 01702. 215011

Saturday, 19^th, July. Southend Choirs Summer Concert.  Kings Road URC Church.  Westcliff.7.30pm till 9.30pm.

Tuesday, 22^nd. July to Saturday, 26^th July. “Picture You Dead”. Play adapted by Peter James. Palace Theatre. Tickets. £28 to £49.

Thursday, 24th, July. Trust Links. Summer Fayre, Shoeburyness. 12noon till 3pm.

Wednesday, 6^th. August. 12.30pm SDPC Friendship Lunch. At Beefeater, “Strawberry Fields”,  Near Tesco’s in Westcliff.    Please contact Margaret Haydon on 07814 714 937 to book. No. 25 bus stops nearby, just before it joins the A127.

Tuesday, 19^th, August to Saturday, 23^rd, August. “The Last Laugh” A new play by Paul Hendy. Palace Theatre. Tickets: From £22.

Wednesday, 20^th. August. SDPC Meeting: 2pm till 4pm. BalmoralCentre, Salisbury Avenue, Westcliff. SS0  7AU.  Forum. Members Issues.

Please send any items for publication in your “Digest” To Bob Howes (Editor), Email: howes01702@outlook.com or 91Brightwell Avenue, Westcliff on Sea, SS0 9EG.