Digest- June 26
“Digest”. – June, 2026
“This is the sort of English up with which I will not put”. (Winston Churchill).
Last month’s Meeting:
I know little about this Meeting, but I gather it was successful, and the Speaker, Alison Askwith from Essex Wildlife Trust was of interest to our Members.
Pleased to win both prizes from the Lottery, although only holding a few numbers.
In Committee:
No one has yet volunteered to shadow
Bob Howes in his role as Treasurer or
Margaret Haydon as Lottery Officer.
Our Chair, Jean Howes has booked Ryan of Everyone Health for our November Meeting. Variety Lunches: It was agreed that any SDPC Members who wish to go to one of the lunches, books and pays through Margaret Haydon.
Sue Stacey, our Secretary, has received an email from Tricia Cowdrey advising us that Southend City Council has appointed a representative for the SDPC. She is Councillor Christine Webster, Labour Councillor for Kursaal Ward and Cabinet Member for Technology, Learning and Customer Service. Our Officers are hoping to meet Christine soon at her convenience at the Civic Centre.
Members Forum in August. We are keen for our Members to bring any issues they have to this Meeting
Bob Howes expressed his concern over the closure of the City’s central Post Office. Our Post master has resigned, and T.G. Jones will be closing their building on the 18th, July.
Who is going to decide where any new Post Office will be located?
Campaigning
We are still hopeful that the Southend City Council will elect one of their Members to be an Older Persons Champion for the pensioner’s across our City.
Bob Howes has suggested that we might consider a campaign for a Community Transport Scheme to be run by the Southend Administration.
Alan Grub reported that from October this year, all buses must have an announcement system.
NPC Report:
Issy Isaacs, our Vice-Chair, reported that any monies currently held by London Region will be sent to the National Pensioners Convention. Some Members objected to this and falsely claimed to have elected a Committee to run the London Region. We continue to wait until an AGM can be held.
The passing of Doreen Elliott.
Members will wish to share the sad news that our Member Doreen Elliott, the partner of our Vice-Chair Issy, died on the 3rd of May. At least five of our Members attended her funeral at the Southend Crematorium on Friday, 5th. June. Jean and
I, Jim and Shirley attended the wake in Hullbridge. Donations went to Dementia UK. May she Rest in Peace.
My thanks go to Diana Joseph who sent me this!
How do know you are getting older?
Everything hurts – what doesn’t hurt doesn’t work.
The gleam in your eye is the sun glinting on our bi-focals.
You feel like the morning after, but haven’t been anywhere.
Your little black book only contains names ending M.D.
You get winded plying cards.
Your children begin to look middle-aged.
You join a health club, but don’t go.
A dripping tap causes an uncontrollable urge.
You know all the answers but nobody asks the questions.
You look forward to a dull evening.
You need glasses to find your glasses.
You turn out the light for economy instead of romance.
You sit in a rocking chair but can’t make it go.
Your knees buckle, but your belt won’t.
Your back goes out more than you do.
You put your bra on back to front, and it fits better.
Your home is too big, and your medicine chest not big enough.
You sink your teeth into a steak and they stay there.
Your birthday cake collapses under the weight of the candles.
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.
Set sail with Jetstream: Until 16th October. For more detailsplease see on the Southend City Website.
Saturday, 20th. June: Dinosaur Takeover. At Adventure Island. Children need an Adventure lsland wristband to meet and greet dinosaurs Eight times during the day
Sunday, 21st: June: Annual Charity Duck Race. 11Am to 5pm. Old Leigh Bell Wharf to Billet Wharf. £1 ticket could win you a prize,
Sunday, 21st. June: Father’s Day.
Saturday, 27th. June: Southend Armed Forces Day: Top of the High Street. 10.15 am. Community singing led by many local Choir Members.
Wednesday, 1st July SDPC Friendship Lunch: from12.30pm.at “Strawberry Fields” near the large Tesco store in Westcliff. £18. Contact Margaret Haydon on 07814 714 937 to book.
Saturday, 4th. July: “A Night at the Musicals: The Southend Bach Choir. Beautiful songs from Richard Rogers, Lloyd Webber, Les Miserable, West Side Story and more. 7pm. At St. Alban’s Church, St. Johns Road, Westcliff.
Wednesday, 15th July SDPC Monthly Meeting: 2pm to 4pm. Speaker: Carole Mulroney talking about Old Leigh, Balmoral Centre, Salisbury Avenue, Westcliff on Sea, SS0 7AU.
Please send any items for publication in your “Digest” to Bob Howes (Editor) Email: howes01702@outlook.com