News - Southend Pensioners

LATEST DIGEST

Digest- April 2026

“Digest”. – April, 2026

“I don’t do alcohol any more – I get the same effect just standing up fast”.   (Bob Howes).

Last month’s Meeting:

We enjoyed having a visit by Laura Fletcher from Essex Fire and Rescue Service in March who gave an interesting and informative talk about safety in the home. Important facts were highlighted, such as taking care in kitchens where most fires start.

The Service will provide carbon monoxide alarms and smoke alarms free of charge, and smoke alarms should be renewed every 10 years. You should check your smoke alarms every month.

Laura was very happy to stay on and chat to people and arrange for some of us to book appointments for her to visit us at our homes.

In Committee:

No one has yet volunteered to shadow

Bob Howes in his role as Treasurer or

Margaret Haydon as Lottery Officer and Carole Edwards has kindly offered to be our new Membership Officer.

Margaret Haydon has booked “The Shore House” in Shoeburyness for the next Friendship Lunch.

Jean Howes, our Chair, has produced some laminated posters and Committee Members will get them displayed at Libraries, Hubs, Community Centres, retirement flats etc. Please take posters to display in your local area.

We are also are delivering our new flyers to homes across the District. Please take some to deliver in your locality. On Membership, 41 of our Members have renewed, with 7 still to renew.

Jim Folwell raised the problem of Royal Mail postal deliveries locally, which he regards as very poor.

We think this may become an issue for us to campaign on

Campaigning

We are still hopeful that the Southend Council will elect one of their Members to be an Older Persons Champion for the residents across our City.

Bob Howes suggested that we might consider a campaign for a Community Transport Scheme to be run by the Administration.

NPC Report:

Our Vice-Chair, Issy Isaacs reported that the London Region AGM did not go ahead, and all the Committee has stepped down. The position is in a state of flux, and all information should be sent to the national Office who should arrange the AGM. Our Affiliation Fee should not be paid until the whole situation has been clarified.

Without any professional leadership, it leaves us being more reliant on SAVS.

Meanwhile the national NPC continues to operate, and we must wait to see what the future holds.

Dates for your Diary:

18^th April to 27^th 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

Saturday, 2^nd. May. Concert by The Southend Bach Choir. Franz Schubert Mass in G and Rossini Stabat Mater. 7pm. Christchurch, Southchurch Boulevard, Southchurch.

Wednesday, 7^th May SDPC Friendship Lunch: from12.30pm.at Shorehouse, Harvester, Shoeburyness.   £18. Contact Margaret Haydon on 07814 714 937 to book.

Saturday, 9^th. May. Trust Links. May Fayre. Westcliff. 11 am till 2 pm.

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.

Wednesday, 20^th May : SDPC Monthly Meeting: 2pm to 4pm. Speaker: Alison Asquith from Essex Wildlife Trust. Balmoral Centre, Salisbury Avenue, Westcliff on Sea, SS0 7

Editorial Plea. If you, or anyone you know, has unwanted Netherlands postage stamps, please bring them to a Meeting, as I will pay cash. Any I cannot use will be donated to charity. Please send any items for publication in your “Digest” to Bob Howes (Editor) Email: howes01702@outlook.com