🤡 Local Clown is Finally Retiring

But he has one final performance up his sleeve

Author

Tom McCloud
September 20, 2024

Good morning, Southend. How are you spending this weekend? If you’re not sure yet, there’s plenty to choose from and we’ll tell you all about it in this week’s Southend Spotlight. But before we get into it, I’d like to ask you a favour…

If you find this newsletter valuable in any way and know someone else that would enjoy receiving this email every Friday, forward this email to them so they can subscribe too. It would mean the world to me! Thank you.

In today’s Southend Spotlight:

  • The Blues have a new blue 👕

  • Who is switching on the Christmas lights this year? 💡

  • Road closures that could affect you 🚧

Don’t forget to check out the upcoming events list at the end of this email and the latest segment The Blues with all the latest news about Southend Utd Football Club.

— Tom McCloud

HIGHLIGHTS
Salvo the Clown Announces Retirement

Salvo the Clown recently announced that after almost 27 years of entertaining Southend residents he is planning to hang up his hat, and his shoes, and retire.

For many years Salvo has been present on Southend High Street, usually outside the recently closed Ironworks. Salvo has said that he has considered retirement for some time now, stating that he may only give out 30-40 balloons a day, compared to past decades when he would give out hundreds in a day.

Salvo has stated that his final public performance will be along Southend High Street, Saturday 26th October but he will still be available for parties and events. However…

…according to this post by ‘Your Southend’ Salvo will be switching on the Christmas lights later this year as a final goodbye to the locals of the city! There’s no official statement from the organisers yet, but it’s clear that he is a popular choice… just look at the results of this poll. 

Do you have any fond memories or stories about Salvo? Reply to this email and share them with us.

🎃 Spooktacular Parade Returns

You probably didn’t want another reminder of how quickly the year is flying by, but for those of you that love the spooky festivities of Halloween, you be thrilled to know that the Spooktacular Halloween Parade is coming back for October 2024

Spooktacular Parade 2023

The parade will be along the seafront on the 26th October. It is completely free to attend and also free to join in! You can view the sign up page here, and applications close 18th October. If you’ve never been before I would highly recommend it, just have a look through the gallery of previous years.

THIS WEEKEND
Visit The Vulcan

This weekend is your last chance of the year to see former Royal Air Force bomber Avro Vulcan XL426 up close at the final Visit the Vulcan Day of the year on Sunday 22nd September.

The Vulcan will be joined by other military vehicles and examples of weapons carried by the Vulcan. Tickets are £8 for adults and entry is free for under-16s and for an extra £8 you can sit in the cockpit!

Visit the Vulcan Day

Hot and cold refreshments will be available as well as a bar for drinks. The Essex Yeomanry Band will be providing musical entertainment throughout the day and there’s plenty more; read about it and buy your tickets here.

Rathayatra Beach Festival

Everyone loves free food, right?

Rathayatra is an annual celebration originating in India, Sri Lanka and Nepal. This year the Hare Krishna community area celebrating with a local festival that involves a chariot parade, cultural performances, henna tattoos, magic shows, free vegetarian food and more. See more details here.

Rathayatra Beach Festival

You can register here for your free ticket. All are welcome to attend and by registering you will be entered into a prize draw (I could not find details of what the prize is… mystery surprise!)

LOCAL HISTORY
Station Road, Westcliff 1920s

Southend is rich with interesting pieces of history and every week we dedicate a section of this newsletter to sharing that history with you. If you have suggestions for the next piece, reply to this email.

If you’ve ever done the walk from Westcliff station to the Cliff Pavilion you might recognise this hill. Station Road has clearly been through many changes over the years, with residential buildings becoming commercial and vice versa.

THE BLUES
⚽️ Shrimpers Reveal Third Kit

Last Friday Southend Utd revealed their third kit for the 2024/2025 season in a stylish sky blue.

The kit follows the same design as the first and second kit, with the primary colour being sky blue, a navy trim and navy shorts. The kit is currently only available in the official club store and will be stocked online soon.

Third Kit

Latest Results

  • Saturday 14th Sept

    • Southend Utd 1-3 Sutton Utd

  • Tuesday 17th Sept

    • Flyde 2-1 Southend Utd

Next Game

  • Saturday 21st Sept — 15:00

    • Solihull Moors vs. Southend

  • Tuesday 24th Sept — 19:45

    • Wealdstone vs. Southend

Current Position

Southend are currently 17th in the National League

EVENTS
🗓️ Upcoming Events

If you enjoy hearing about the latest events in and around Southend, please share the newsletter with your friends and family. The more people that subscribe the more events we get to hear about and share with you all!

This newsletter is completely free and always will be!

Thanks for reading this week’s Southend Spotlight. If you have any thoughts please reply to this email and let me know!

— Tom McCloud