Digest- October 2025
“Digest”. October, 2025
“Years may wrinkle the skin, but to give up enthusiasm wrinkles the soul”. ( Samuel Ullman ).
Last month’s Meeting:
We enjoyed an interesting talk from Liz Payne from “Southend I n Sight”, which was formed in 2018, and was previously The Blind Welfare Association. Liz explained how they work in many different ways to assist the blind and partially sighted across the City. From assessing needs and providing appropriate help, to sign-posting people if they need other types of support. Their centre is now in the SAVS centre in Alexander Street, Southend, and their charity shop is in Hamlet Court Road, Westcliff. They are in regular contact with other local groups and the Council. Liz was kind enough to stay on during our tea break to answer questions from our Members.
In Committee:
We had a full Committee Meeting, and Jean Howes asked for Members to help taking photographs at our Committee and Members Meetings. Jean also said that she has confirmed the first eight Meetings’ Speakers for next year. We asked that any redundant blue paper
waste bins be brought to the Balmoral Centre for storage of books etc. Our Secretary, Sue Stacey updated us on
the details of our 40th Anniversary Meeting and asked people to car-share
where possible, due to the lack of parking spaces close to the Balmoral Centre. Jill Allen-King confirmed that the AGM of the Southend Bus Users Group will be held at the Salvation Army Hall in Southend on Saturday, 15th. November from 10.30am.
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 still need an Older Person’s Champion from within the Council Members. We will continue to campaign for this permanently. On keeping our pavements clear and safe, we should continue to report in detail any Council problems on “My Southend”, and encourage other people to do the same.
Joseph Toomey Charitable Trust.
This is a SAVS partnership to support older people in the community, who own their own homes, with repair costs aimed at keeping people in their own homes for longer. The project is for moderate, one-off home repairs so replacing a boiler, a leaky roof, draughty door, broken windows, guttering in need of replacing, and rewiring a kitchen would all qualify. Call Jean on 0795025406810 or email jeannieaddison91@gmail.com for a chat.
NPC Report:
Our Committee Deputy Chair, Issy Isaacs, has served on the National Pensioner’s Convention’s Executive Committee for many years. He has deep experience of working as a Councillor in Dagenham, and is a committed Member of the Unite Trade Union. He works with the local Trades Council, and will be retiring from his NPC posts in March next year as will Barry Todman, who is currently the Secretary of the NPC’s London Region Council.
Issy recently told us that the Winter Fuel Allowance will be paid to pensioner’s who have a NET yearly income of under £35,000. In other words, their income after taxation.
Issy has told us the NPC has noted that the postal service is generally poor. A Czech Republic company has recently purchased the organisation, and is cutting services. This will be on the Agenda of our next SDPC Committee Meeting.
The Senior Managers of the NPC will become Company Directors as they transform into a Company Ltd by Guarantee. They have agreed to have a Board of Directors consisting of 15 Members.
The next NPC London Regional Council Meeting in Euston will be on Thursday, 29th, January, 2026. Your
delegates are currently Bob Howes and Jim Folwell.
| Home Library Service. Southend Libraries offer a FREE delivery service for anyone who cannot access their local library. If you can’t get to the library due to permanent or temporary disability, illness, frailty or caring responsibilities, then our friendly team of Home Library Service Volunteers can deliver books and audio books to your home on a regular basis, free of charge. If you or someone you know would benefit from this service, please contact us on 01702 534123 or email our team: librarydevelopment@southend.gov.uk |
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 and Sunday, 25th/26th October. Prittlewell Pumpkin Patch. Fun, Friendly event. Prittlewell Priory. Priory Park, Southend.
Wednesday, 29th. October, Spooky Space Day. Southend Central Museum and Planetarium. Victoria Avenue, Southend.
Wednesday, 5th.November, Friendship Lunch: from12.30pm. at “Strawberry Fields”, Near Tesco’s, Westcliff. Two course meal for £18. Contact Margaret Haydon on 07814 714 937 to book.
Saturday, 15th. November. Autumn Concert. Southend ~Bach Choir. Brahms- German Requiem. From 7 pm. at St. Alban the Martyr Church, Westcliff on Sea. SS0 7JZ.
Wednesday, 19th November, 2pm-4pm. SDPC Monthly Meeting: Sheree Lester, with Simon Davie and his hearing dog Dory from “Hearing Dogs for Deaf People”. 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 or post to 91, Brightwell Avenue, Westcliff on Sea, SS0 9EG.