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  • Digest – February 2026

           It’s no Joke!

    Last month’s Meeting:

    Our monthly Meeting in January was addressed by Annie Riley on the History of Variety Lunches. It was an entertaining talk about her journey as a professional singer, and how she developed contacts in show business and even royalty. Annie decided to start the Variety Lunches in order to raise funds for the charity Homes for Heroes. This charity meets homeless veterans on the streets and invites them to accept refuge in their facilities for shelter and social care. They are supported by well- known people in show business and also Princess Ann. Annie was a good friend of Vera Lynn and many other well- known singers and entertainers. We gave a donation to Annie who is supported by several groups locally where Variety  Lunches are held regularly at Chalkwell Park Rooms. More details are available from our Lottery Officer, Margaret Haydon.

      In Committee:

    We were pleased to welcome Carol Edwards as an observer to our Committee Meeting last Wednesday morning. Our Chair, Jean Howes gave out our new badges for Committee Members. We should wear them at our monthly Member’s Meetings. Our new generic posters are now available for distribution. Thanks to Tricia Cowdrey for the design. The A5 flyers are ready

    for printing, and we agreed to have the new design of the Membership Application Form printed on the back.

    This year’s Programme of Speakers is completed apart from November. August will be for an Open Discussion.

    Our present Committee agreed to stand again for another year, if elected. Delegates to N PC are Bob Howes and Jim Folwell. Our financial examiner, Issy Isaacs agreed to continue for another year

    Campaigning:

    We continue to campaign for an Older Person’ Champion be appointed by the Southend City Council.

    Most of our Membership are not reporting issues concerning the pavements being kept clear of vehicles, rubbish and bins. Our pavements are part of the King’s Highway, and pedestrian’s now have top priority over other users of the highway. Maybe their local pavements are clear of any obstacles, or perhaps they are happy to squeeze past them.

    We need to consider other local issues which are worth campaigning on.

    N PC Report:

    Issy Isaacs and Bob Howes attended the January Meeting of the

    National Pensioner’s Convention London Regional Council and were

    shocked to hear that the N PC were expecting to be closed down. This is due to a lack of funds coming in over the past eight years. They have made their three paid staff

    redundant, and they have now left the organisation.

    The top Executives will meet on Tuesday, 24th February, to vote on the future of N PC if any. They failed to receive their usual annual grant from AGE UK which I believe was the final straw.

    As an affiliated group to N PC, we are entitled to continue to exist, as the affiliates are autonomous. If they do close down, we shall have to decide how or if we proceed.    

      Our President:

    Jill Allen-Allen-King has been on ITV again talking about her issues with the Guide Dogs in Britain.

    People now have to be able to walk at least a mile controlling their dog. I believe they decided that Jill was too frail to be able to meet their criteria.

    Jill does have a friend who takes her to her local church, and someone to read her mail. Her friend Peter Wilkins has been taking her to stay at his home in Stockport monthly, where they have been able to enjoy classical music concerts on Saturday evenings. Jill is no longer on the waiting list for a guide dog.

    Suez Meeting in December, 2025:

    I am grateful to our Member, Marion Erk-Mitchell for reporting that Suez wish residents to display their waste-bins on their own property even if they are almost empty. They are still assessing the timings of their complete rounds.

    Also, Marion reminds us that Action Fraud is being disbanded in the

    spring, due to their ineptitude. The new body is to be called REPORT FRAUD with it’s own Website. “Anyone can report on the site, and all entries will be read with diligence”.

    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.

    Sunday, 22nd February- 3pm.  Cliffs Pavilion. “The Glenn Miller Orchestra” conducted by Ray McVay. Tickets from £ 28.50.

    Wednesday, 4th. March.         SDPC Friendship Lunch: from12.30pm.at “The Saxon King” pub next to the large Aldi supermarket by Priory Park. £18. Contact Margaret Haydon on 07814 714 937 to book.

    Wednesday, 18th, March: SDPC Monthly Meeting: Speaker: Laura Fletcher– Community Safety Officer. Balmoral Centre, Salisbury Avenue, Westcliff on Sea, SS0 7AU.

    Editorial Plea. If you, or anyone you know, has unwanted Netherlands postage stamps, please bring them to a Meeting, as I will pay cash. Bob.

    Please send any items for publication in your “Digest” to Bob Howes (Editor) Email: howes01702 howes01702@outlook.com  or post to 91, Brightwell Avenue, Westcliff on Sea, SS0 9EG. Tel. 01702. 341047

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