The favoured location for the bandstand is in Priory Park, next to the cafe. The designated area is a small shrubbery bordered by heather, and is currently being broken up and will eventually be flattened to make way for the new addition. At present there are no plans outlined for increased security for the park, which has recently undergone a series of attacks by thieves stripping lead, vandalism and 'tagging'. The fears are that the bandstand will be subject to similar defacement and damage if sited in the park. On a positive note, the bandstand will once again be one of the great focuses of the town, and will play host to bands and singers, drawing the crowds and providing a much-needed boost for the Park, Priory, and indeed, that end of the town in general.

There has been much afoot recently about developments, re-developments and expansions of retail parks and sports facilities - and with the owners of Adventure Island going it virtually alone with the illuminations and catering for people's pleasure on the seafront, it's great to see that a piece of Southend's heritage will restored to the people, and placed inland.

While restoration work is due to get under way to stabilise part of Leigh Cliffs, no news has yet been out regarding the Westcliff and West Southend Cliffs, which are into their fourth year of disrepair and partial collapse.

An eyesore indeed, one wonders just how far it is on the council's 'to do' list - certainly well below their wage review and increases and the well publicised plans for the Civic Centre and library. Probably below the decision about the new site for the bandstand. But what impression does the state of the cliffs give the visitor - that the now one-star town council is strapped for cash, or that they would rather throw money at a swimming pool on the outskirts of town than underpin and make good the cliffs which, for most, was one of the great attractions of the seafront, with its gentle, twisting pathways around splendid flower beds and marvellous viewspoints?

They said it would be open by Christmas and it is - the scaffolding may still be up in some isolated areas where work is in progress, and the final plastering is going on in others, but the shops on the first two levels are open for business and the new Victoria Plaza is already bustling with shoppers in the run up to Christmas. A huge Christmas tree is the focal point on the ground floor; heavily decorated and under the watchful eye of the designated guard. The whole complex is covered by a vast network of CCTV cameras, and high profile security guards, as part of the campaign against grafitti and vandalism. The restrooms are top notch; with wide access doors leading off a well-lit concourse and there's even a babys' changing room. The designers have certainly got it right. Now it's just down to the choice of retailers.

The history of the airport, in its role in wartime as a forward fighter base, is to be marked by a permanent monument. The statue, planned for 2009 (which will be the 70th anniversary of the outbreak of WWII), would be an fitting tribute to the airmen of the RAF. Labour Councillor David Garston (responsible for culture) has suggested that the monument should be included as part of the features in the airport expansion plans, and that special contribution should be made by the developers as they change the face of the airfield forever, in respect of the part it played during times of conflict.

The MP for Southend West, David Amess, has approached the Local Government Secretary Hazel Blears with concerns about the Cliffs landslip crisis. Southend Council estimate the repairs will cost £35 million, but the reflects the fact that repairs will be necessary from Southend along to Leigh. It was about ten years ago that the Ridgeway in Chalkwell was opened up for deep piling, and concrete was poured in over a period of months. The crisis now is that further landslip could cause roads and even the C2C railway to be closed. The regeneration company Renaissance Southend have also been in talks with the Government to see what practical measures can be taken.

The Council are keeping mum for the time being about plans for the Pier as part of the Prince's Regeneration Trust 's investigation into reviving seaside resorts. Anita Thornberry, head of tourism at the council, is confident that through the expertise of the Trust, they will be able to find the right (sympathetic) kind of developer for the job.

The bandstand has a checkered past, and like today, the main problem has been with subsidence, which was a sore issue back in 1885 when the then private owner of the grounds offered the site 'as is' to the council with a rather hefty cheque to help fund the repairs.
The bandstand has been under wraps for almost five years since being removed when the cliffs began to subside, and while the council cannot afford the £35 million (!) bill for the repairs to the cliffs area, they seem to recognise that the famous Southend landmark could turn them a few coins. In Southend terms temporary means permanent, so to this end the Cliffs Pavilion might be its ideal temporary home.

The British Remembrance Day is held on 11th November. This is the day that World War One ended in 1918, when the armistice was signed in Compiègne, northern France, at 5am. Six hours later the fighting stopped, and to commemorate this there is a national two-minute silence at 11am.
The Royal British Legion's traditional fundraising appeal (Poppy Day) is aiming to help and safeguard the welfare of the growing number of ex-servicemen and their families up to the more recent conflicts such as Afghanistan.
British Legion volunteers are out on the streets now for two weeks with their poppies and collection tins, and you can also donate directly to the legion. Southend Mayor Councillor Daphne White called on locals to "volunteer or dig deep in their pockets - It's imperative that we look after those who have given so much to this country".
To get involved with collecting, call the legion FREE on 0800 0855924

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