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  • Digest-April 2024

                Southend & District Pensioner’s Campaign                                            

                               “Digest”  –  April, 2024   

    Joke:  In retirement, never drink coffee at lunch; it will keep you awake in the afternoon. (Bob Howes)                                                    

    In Committee: Following a suggestion from our Member Mr. Ali, the Committee discussed various options which may enable us to have more than one roving microphone. Margaret Haydon will talk to SAVS to find out what they suggest, and the various cost implications. We have recently purchased a new small laptop computer for the use of the next Secretary. It was a bargain which was facilitated By SAVS. We decided to ask our Members what they would like to see for refreshments at next February’s AGM.

    Marketing SDPC:    On Monday, 18th March we visited Leigh Library with our display boards, but found it difficult to be seen by the public due to the position of their computerised machines. We did manage to have a rapport with the library staff and they took a pile of our membership forms to display prominently in their reception area. We have exhausted going out to the Library Service venues, and would like to hear from any Members who know of any local voluntary groups which may welcome us to visit and display our boards to other pensioners.

    NPC London Regional Council:

    Issy Isaacs, Bob Howes and Jim Folwell attended the AGM of the Council in Euston which was packed with over 60 Delegates. Unfortunately, after an hour of continual points of order, the Chair and Officers decided to suspend the Meeting at 12 noon. A waste of time and money, and also very upsetting for the national General Secretary, Jan Shortt who had travelled down from north Northumberland. We await the new date for the AGM.

    Jagger:

    We are grateful to our Chair, Jill Allen-King for the following:-

    “As many of you know, I have always had my Guide Dog Jagger with me at all our meetings since I have been Chairman for the past year.

    Sadly Jagger had to be put to sleep on February 22. This was quite sudden. He had been at our A.G.M. the day before. Although he had spent the day before at the Vets all day having blood tests and X Rays. It is the first time in 52 years that I have been without a Guide Dog. My 7 dogs had made me independent and kept me safe and given me love and affection.

    I do not know how long I will have to wait for a new dog. There is a waiting list of 1,200 blind people like me. In the meantime I appreciate any help from sighted friends with transport.

    We have a wide range of speakers arranged for our monthly meetings, so please come and join us”

    Jill Allen-King O.B.E.  (Chair).

    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. Free.   display of now on show permanently from Wednesday to Sunday each week, from 11am till 5pm.

    Southend Council Concert Series.  Monthly serious music concerts continue, but the new venue is now Council Chamber, Civic Centre, Victoria Avenue, Southend. SS2 6ER. Friday evenings. From 8pm. Internationally acclaimed musicians. £10 per concert.

    Wednesday 1st May . Friendship Lunch Club 2 courses £15 12.30pm Brewers Fayre. Call Jean 01702 341047 to book your place.

    Thursday, 2nd. May. Southend City Council Election. Polling Day. Please vote from 7am to 10pm.

    Saturday, 11th May: TrustLinks May Fayre. 11am -2pm. Prittlewell Chase, Westcliff on Sea, Essex. SS0

    Wednesday, 15th May . SDPC Meeting: 2pm till 4pm. Southend Libraries and Home Library Service. Balmoral Community Centre, Salisbury Avenue, Westcliff on Sea.SS0 7AU

    A trip has been arranged for Wednesday May 22nd to Chalkwell Park Rooms.  It consists of a 2 course lunch with entertainment. It is called Polka Dots and Moonbeam(50s hits).  The cost is £20 per head.  It starts at 12noon and usually ends at about 4pm.  There is a raffle for the Heroes charity.  If you are interested, please speak to Margaret Haydon.

     Dixieland Jazz trip on the events boat ‘Tereza Joanne’ in London on Thursday 31st October 2024.  The cost is £70 per person which includes travel to the venue, a 2 course lunch.  There is a bar and disabled facilities.  Lunch is usually served between 12 and 12.30 pm.  Entertainment follows and usually finishes between 3.30 and 4pm.  If you are interested, please speak to Margaret.

    Editor’s view. The Budget on the 6th , March was very disappointing for pensioners. The Chancellor was under huge pressure from some of his colleagues to cut taxes. This would create more money for us to spend and encourage more inflation. He cut another 2% off National Insurance which only benefits those who work. He should, I believe, have reduced stamp duty to stimulate the housing market instead. Pensioners did benefit from an 8.5 % rise in their State Pension based on the median wage increases in September last year. But…. many of us also saw an increase in our Income Tax!  Another wrong decision. The tax allowances should never have been frozen

    .Editor’s request. If you would like to contribute any items to your “Digest”, please send your articles to Bob Howes at 91, Brightwell Avenue Westcliff on Sea, Essex. SS0 9EG Email to howes01702@outlook.com    Many thanks.   

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