Digest December 2023
SOUTHEND & DISTRICT PENSIONER’S CAMPAIGN
“Digest “- December 2023
Joke: . We are only young once, after that we need some other excuse.
Change of Address: Our email address has changed to southenddistrictpensioners@gmail.com
Please use this address, and respond to a message to ensure that all future messages go straight into your inbox.
Barbara Armitage:
We are very sad to report the passing of our ex: Honorary Chair, Barbara. She was a campaigner for many years within NALGO, a social worker, an ex: Mayoress, and a political activist for over 60 years. Barbara died in a Leigh care- home on Saturday, 18th. November, and her funeral will be held on Wednesday, 10th. January from 2.35pm. It will be a service of celebration at St. Aidan’s Church, The Fairway, Leigh on Sea.SS9. Then to the Large Chapel at the Southend Crematorium from 3.30pm. The wake will be from 4.30 at Porters in Southend. Donations welcome to “Southend in Sight” and Essex Wildlife Trust.
Michael Merriman. This morning we heard from his wife Jan, that Michael was seriously ill in Basildon Hospital.. Our thoughts are with him and his family. .
In Committee: We helda minutes silence in memory of Barbara Armitage.
The calling notice of the February AGM was agreed, and will be circulated at the Member’s Meeting together with Officer’s Annual Reports on Wednesday, 17th January,2024.
Election Cycle Consultation. The Council has circulated an Election Cycle Consultation Survey which needs to be returned to the Council by`15th January 2024 using the following link.
Election Cycle Consultation 2023 | Your say Southend
This is asking voters if they wish to preserve the current electoral arrangements where a third of Councillors are elected each year for 3 years, to an arrangement where all Councillors are elected every four years.
Jean has arranged with the Council for hard print copies to be supplied and will talk members through the issues at our Member’s Meeting on 20th December. Additional copies of the Survey are available at all public libraries.
.Campaigning. On Thursday, 14th. December, Bob Howes attended the Southend City Full Council Meeting, to ask the Council Leader, Councillor Tony Cox to reinstate the post of Older People’s Champion. The answer was a long-winded no. We intend to continue campaigning for this important role, and Bob hopes to write to the “Echo” and “Leigh News” in due course to explain its importance.
Dates for Your Diary:
Jazz Centre UK. Live concerts on most Saturday afternoons. 2pm till 4pm. Beecroft Art Gallery, Victoria Avenue, Southend. Tickets £10-15.
Southend Central Museum. Victoria Avenue, Southend. Free. A stunning display of recent finds from the “London” wreck is now on show permanently from Wednesday to Sunday each week, from 11am till 5pm.
Southend Council Concert Series. Monthly serious music concerts continue at Plaza Centre, 600 Southchurch Road, Southend. SS1 2PT. Friday evenings. From 8pm. International professional musicians. £10 per person.
Focal Point Gallery. The Forum, Southend, SS1 1ND. Open Wednesday to Saturday, 11am to 5pm. Exhibition: “Storm Warning“ What does climate change mean for coastal communities? 4th October till 6th January, 2024
December 19th until December 31st. “Peter Pan” .At The Cliffs Pavilion. 2.15pm, 7.15pm, 1pm, 5pm, 11am, and 3pm.
Till 24th December. Father Christmas at The Royals shopping mall.
Till 24th December. Father Christmas at The Ironworks, Southend High Street.
Till 24th December. Santa on the Pier.
Wednesday 3rd January . SDPC Lunch – The Harvester, “The Shore House”, Shoeburyness. 12.30 pm.
Contact Margaret to book your place 01702 295008 or 07814 714937..
Wednesday, 17th January . SDPC Meeting: Seated Yoga with Keeley Beech Balmoral Centre, Salisbury Avenue, Westcliff on Sea. 2pm-4pm.
Editor’s request. If you would like to contribute any items to your “Digest”, please send your articles, poems, or jokes to Bob Howes at 91, Brightwell Avenue, Westcliff on Sea, Essex. SS0 9EG, or email howes01702@outlook.com. Many thanks.