NEW SWIMMING POOL FOR SOUTHEND |
The site of the Warrior Square swimming pool is to be sold off once the planned 25m Pool with a 10m Olympic Diving facility opens at Garons Park. Whilst the implications of the need for improved public transport to and from Garons Park, especially in the evenings, are being considered, it is as yet unclear where the proposed 'fun' pool to replace the Warrior pool in central Southend will be located, though somewhere closer to the seafront would be more practical. |
One of the key factors brought up at the Stadium Inquiry is the need for traffic control in and around the new complex. With the planned 22,000-seater football stadium, hotel, flats and shops, there needs to be very careful planning for car parking and the routes in and out of the area. The current road layout just cannot handle the increased traffic as they are already prone to congested at the best of times. Joint talks between Southend and Rochford Councils must take place to agree a new road on and off the new retail park if traffic around that end of Southend isn't to come to a grinding halt.
Another consideration is that with extensive redevelopment of the High Street and in particular the Victoria Plaza going on, which it is hoped will draw shoppers back from their weekly pilgrimage to Basildon's Eastgate and Lakeside, it will not realise its full potential if large retail stores are going to be erected at Fossetts Park. On the other hand, if the High Street offers what the shopper needs in one place, the planned retail park could become an expensive 'white elephant' as some people already fear. |
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Phillip Miller lights up the seafront. The illuminations may have been switched off so that the decison can be made whether or not the work can be afforded to be carried out on the aged electrical system and displays, but the owner of Adventure Island has launched a spectacular display in the theme park itself. |
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Jetty demolition goes ahead. The Corporation Landing Pier, built in 1924, is being torn down after it was revealed that its structure was unsound. It was originally built to allow ships to dock to bring goods in and out of the town. It has been derelict for four decades. |
After more than 100 years in business, AV Rogers & Son, the timber and DIY retailer in East Street, is to close. Roy Rogers, the third generation to run the family business, has made the decision to sell up and take early retirement. At its height the firm employed ten people and ran a factory in Shoebury as well as the yard. Now it is down to just one part-time employee. Roy himself has spent 48 years there, being brought in by his father after the previous tenant did a moonlight flit. Despite the pressures of competition from the superstores that have sprung up over the years, Roy's business enjoyed a steady trade from regulars for the sheer amount of choice they offered in their stock. |
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Grindleys Book Shop in Leigh was packed with starspotters at lunchtime on Saturday 22nd when actress Helen Mirren stayed for a hour to sign copies of her new book "In the Frame". The film star, who recently won an Oscar for her portrayal of Queen Elizabeth II in "The Queen", attended the venue that was completely sold out. |
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Rochford celebrates 750 years as a market town on October 6th. A re-enactment will be staged of the handing over of the Royal Charter which granted Rochford its market town status, with everyone wearing period costume, and there will also be guided walks for visitors or those just keen to join in the festivities. |
WAR VETERANS MARCH GETS OFF TO A FLYING STOP! |
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The 2007 War Veterans Annual Battle of Britain March took place on Sunday 16th September. Even the fire brigade joined the procession after it left Station Road, Prittlewell, and began its route along East Street to the church. The police had placed barriers across the road at the Railway pub and blocked access to the other end of East Street from Victoria Avenue, in readiness for the 10.45 start, but just minutes after the Band and Standard Bearers led the procession |
into the main road, the wail of sirens could be heard. Then just seconds after that, two tenders from the Sutton Road Fire Station thundered over the railway bridge. The policemen on duty dragged the barrier out of their path and they drove right up to the rear of the procession. The Standard bearers at the front of the march began to usher their ex-servicemen comrades onto the pavement, but the fire crews were already breaking out the equipment for the alarm came from the very block of flats they were next to. One line was immediately run into the building. With cool concern, the march was re-assembled in the road and they continued unimpeded for the rest of the walk to St. Mary's church for the service. The march itself was subject of a great deal of controversy earlier in the month when it was found that the council had sought to charge the Royal Air Force Association for the costs of the closing the road. |
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GREENSMAN WANTED - MUST HAVE HEAD FOR HEIGHTS! |
Plans for a seven-storey block containing 40 flats under a glass roof to be built on the site of Nazareth House, in London Road, have been rejected. The Eco-nut head of planning proposed that the slope of the roof was to be covered in greenery such as succulent plants which would not require maintenance. He explained that the roof of the bowling pavilion in Priory Park is just like the one he wants. Thankfully, councillors of the development control committee saw the plans as being inappropriate for the approach road into Southend. Although the committee are regarded as backward-thinkers regarding the developments in our town, this call has to be one of their successes. But what the future holds for the site, who knows? |
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Plans have been passed by the council for a waste transfer station to be installed at Warner's Bridge, provoking angry protests from local residents. The site would include a workshop and refuelling point for the vehicles. The waste transfer site on Purdey's Way (Eco-Logic) was recently sold by the owner for a reported £1 million, but it is still unclear whether that site will continue as a tipping point or is to be re-developed. In the meantime, everyone living near and around the Warner's Bridge area is fearing not only the noise and smell that the new site would produce, or the heavy traffic running in and out 365 days a year, but also the start of the planned expansion of the airport. |
WILL THIS BE OUR NEW SEA VIEW? |
Plans are being urgently considered to build a second Thames barrier after an official report by experts warn that London is becoming increasingly vulnerable to catastrophic flooding, and that the barrier built at Woolwich in 1983 may not contain the flood threat caused by climate change. One of the proposals put forward is to build a barrier across the Estuary from Sheerness in Kent, to Southend. The barrier would contain numerous gates to control the flow of water into and out of the River Thames. |
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PLAZA REDEVELOPMENT ON TARGET |
It takes just a glance up the high street next to the Odeon cinema to see that the glass frontages and doorways are being installed on the new 'Victoria' development. The builders are working hard tiling the floors and as the screens start to come down, the transformation is obvious. The roof is on and looks magnificent - the whole area is light and spacious and, dare I say it - very 21st century, and most likely to be open in October. All of the new escalators are in, and providing the right shops go in, it will be a real magnet for shoppers. |
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THE 3rd ANNUAL SUMMER GARDEN SHOW |
The 3rd Southend Summer Garden Show takes place this end of August weekend at Garon Park. This annual event is held over three days and pulls over 200 exhibitors from all over the country, who will be displaying, for sale, some 70,000 flowers, shrubs, aquatic plants and horticultural products. There are also displays of country crafts and foods, and special areas set up for outdoor living and garden lovers in the way of garden furniture, paving, pots, water features, and a homes and modern living area. On hand at the show this year with tips and advice is Charlie Dimmock, from the BBC's Ground Force. This show is very popular and although Garon Park has good parking facilities, it will you pay to arrive early. The number 63 Bus takes you to the door of the sports complex. The show is open from 10am to 5pm each day. |
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HAPPY 75th SOUTHEND HOSPITAL
Southend Hospital celebrates its Diamond birthday and a party mood reigned among staff and patients.
The hospital, built from public funds raised in 1929, and completed in 1932, is currently undergoing modernisation and expansion. It was a trip down memory lane for many retired staff members invited along for the celebration, who had seen many changes in work practices and conditions over the years. Not least was the opening of the £1 million eye clinic in 1993, the centralisation of services after Rochford hospital closed, and the more recent completion of the £3.4 million A&E department. |
TESCOS WILL GET THE MONOPOLY
As reported this week, there are plans in hand for Sainsburys to move out of the town. Whether this was an offer made they couldn't refuse so the land can be redeveloped for offices, or that they are running 'tail 'tween legs' as Tesco announced they are moving in to the old premises of B&Q (Now moving to their Mega-store behind Waitrose). The price war between the two supermarket giants has peaked recently, and it seems that this town ain't big enough for the both of them. |
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