“Digest”. – September, 2026
“You ain’t heard nothin’ yet, folks.
(remark in the first talking film, The Jazz Singer, 1927).
Last month’s Meeting:
We enjoyed a very busy afternoon at our
“Open Forum” meeting with 5 visiting organisations with speakers.
Cllr. Christine Webster our Campaign’s allocated Councillor telling us about her role as the portfolio holder for Education and that she had identified a younger Councillor called Madison who may be a suitable person to become a “Champion for the Older Person”. We await to see if she may be suitable.
Jamie Langstone from SAVS gave us a talk about QR Codes and Apps and how to use them wisely.
Tricia Cowdrey told us about her concerns for the local environment given the amount of green-belt land was being used for property development. The “Green-Belters” are campaigning against the concreting over green-belt land.
Nivenfrom HomeInstead gave a talk about the services which the company provides, and Reece asked Doris, one of their residents to talk about how comfortable she felt in their home.
The speakers stayed to answer questions from our Members during the tea break.
In Committee:
Our Committee was busy discussing a wide range of different issues. The main decisions made were that we have now received another 1,000 flyers from “Quickprint” and we thank these printers for their generous quote. We need to know who has delivered any, and which roads have been covered.
Also, we agreed to just suspend the Lottery for a year, in case we find a volunteer to take on the role of Lottery Officer.
Bob Howes has received a letter from the Co-op Bank saying that they will not be changing their Logo, so the brand will remain, despite having been taken over by the Coventry Building Society.
Jean Howes reported that we have a number of speakers for next year’s programme.
We have had no further communication from Cllr. Christine Webster about any progress on our campaign to gain a Champion for Older People.
Sue Stacey has been busy attending several events as have Neil Bennett and Bob Howes. We need more Members to help us when we attend events to advertise our Campaign. Live Well / Ageing Well are
Meeting on Tuesday, 27th October from 11am till 1pm at the Salvation Army, Clarence Road, Southend. Three of our Committee hope to be there.
Our Christmas Social will be on Wednesday, 16th, December, and Sue will get quotes for catering and bring to our next Committee Meeting.
Sue and Bob attended a Meeting at SAVS on 25th, August to discuss the Local Transport Plan. We were asked to give the Consultants our views of the local transport services and they told us that the Council will be opening a public consultation soon.
We raised questions about the bus services in Southend District, and the lack of a Local Community Transport Service. An Officer from the Council took many detailed notes, and will hopefully relay our views to his colleagues.
We shall end the practice of sending birthday cards to Members will cease on 30th.September.
The Committee agreed to send donations of £20 each to the charities nominated by Jan Merriman and Alvin King.
Campaigning:
We hope to see if Cllr. Madison Faukner-Hatt will be willing to be the “Champion for Older People” across Southend and if so, we shall interview her before too long.
Several Committee Members would like to campaign for a Local Community Transport Service to be provided by Southend Council. There is a huge demand for such a service, and there are many volunteer drivers available.
NPC Report:
Issy Isaacs, our Vice-Chair, warned us that NPC is concerned about the possibility of the Triple-Lock being replaced. If it reduces the incomes of state pensioners, the Convention would organise huge demonstrations at Parliament. There would be local and national campaigns.
Joseph Toomey Trust.
We are grateful to our Member Marion Erk- Mitchell for her letter expressing her gratitude for our enabling her to take advantage of Joseph Toomey Trust’s charitable work. Marion has had her old windows replaced and her old chimney re-pointed and straitened. She thanks Jean
Howes and SAVS very much for co-ordinating.
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. Free.
Southend Council Concert Series. Monthly serious music concerts continue, but the venues now alternate. Friday evenings. From 8pm. Book by phone 01702. 215011.
Friday 25th September Open Day at The Haven, community hub, Hamlet Court Road, Westcliff. From 11.00am – 4pm. Find out about all our Services. For more information call 01702 345373.
Now until 27th September: Music in the Park.
Concerts in Priory Park at the Southend Bandstand every weekend and Bank Holiday. From 3pm till 4.30 pm. various bands and groups. Take your own chairs and blankets if you wish.
Set sail with Jetstream: Until 16th October. For more details please see on the Southend City Website.
Saturday, 19th September. Trust Links:
Walking Together from the Gunny. 10am.
12 noon till 2pm Afternoon Tea in Thundersley.
Wednesday, 7th. October, SDPC Friendship Lunch. At “The Bell” Toby Carvery. From 12.30pm. £18. Contact Margaret Haydon on Mobile: 07814 714937 to book your place.
Wednesday,21st October. SDPC Monthly Meeting. 2pm to 4pm. Speaker: Caroline Southgate from Doris Jones Homecare talking about “15 years of homecare in Southend”
Please send any items for publication in your “Digest” to Bob Howes (Editor) Email: howes01702@outlook.com