🔵 £1 Million Approved for Southend Civic Pride

Good morning, Southend. I hope you’ve had a great week.

We’ve had a lot of signups this week. If this is your first time reading the Southend Spotlight, welcome! This newsletter is designed to hopefully have a little something for everybody. We share the latest news from the Southend area, upcoming events, coverage of Southend Utd, bits of local history, and do our part to promote local businesses.

If you find this newsletter useful or enjoyable, please share with your friends and family. Just forward this email and they can press the subscribe button below.

Let’s get on with it… in today’s Southend Spotlight:

• £1M to be spent on civic pride initiative 💷

• Many Christmas events to choose from 🎄

• Shrimpers one step closer to silverware 🏆

Don’t forget to check out the upcoming events list at the end of this email and to forward this email to anyone you know that may be interested.  

— Tom McCloud

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• Highlights

• This Weekend

• Local History

• Southend Utd

• News You May Have Missed

• Upcoming Events

HIGHLIGHTS
💷 £1 Million ‘Civic Pride’ Investment

Southend Council has unveiled a £1 million civic pride action plan, including an annual “Southend City Day” starting March 1, 2024.

The plan focuses on:

• Improving high streets

• Tackling anti-social behaviour

• Enhancing cultural amenities

• Creating green spaces

Funding includes £210,000 for ongoing services, £410,000 for short-term projects, and £405,000 for facility improvements. Key allocations include £90,000 for City Jam, £130,000 for improving access from Southend Victoria station, and £100,000 for signage and maps.

You can read the full post from the council on their website. The cabinet report is still yet to be discussed, however that will take place on 16th + 19th December by the policy and resources scrutiny committee.

Are you excited to hear these changes? Or do you believe the money could be better spent?

Personally, events such as City Jam, the Halloween Parade and weekly fireworks are one of the many reasons I love living here. It’s the perfect opportunity to invite friends and family to the city and have a great day out while supporting local businesses, so I for one will definitely be attending City Day!

🎁 Final Push for Christmas Toy Drive

Today is the final day to donate to Southend’s Toy Drive!

Southend’s Toy Drive is collecting gifts for vulnerable children until Friday, December 13, with a focus on ages 12 and up. Donations can be made at Argosy Toys, Toys ‘n’ Tuck, or dropped off at the Civic Centre or The Forum.

I know it’s late notice, as the final day is today, but if you would still like to make a donation you can also purchase gifts online from www.argosytoys.co.uk and select 'Toy Drive' as an option for delivery, or www.toysntuck.co.uk and select 'Southend Toy Drive' to donate.

THIS WEEKEND
🎨 Folk and Bespoke Artisan Craft Fair

As I’m sure you can expect, there’s a lot of Christmas events this weekend. To make sure you don’t miss any check the Upcoming Events section at the very bottom of this email!

One of the events this weekend that is not Christmas themed (although I’m sure there will be Christmas items available) is the Folk & Bespoke Artisan Craft Fair which will be held this Saturday in Leigh Community Centre.

Folk & Bespoke aims to be a unique shopping experience, a celebration of small independent business and time served craftspeople. The go-to market for people to shop indie.

🏃🏻‍♀️‍➡️ Southend Rudolph Run  

The Southend Rudolph Run is back and taking place this Sunday, 15th Dec.

Runners of all levels are invited to get your fancy dress costumes and join the 5-mile run along the promenade. There are prizes for best Christmas attire, as well as sweet treats and mince pies for every participant to enjoy!

By taking part you will be supporting Havens Hospices, so even if you can’t manage the 5-miles (I’m not sure I could) families can still take part in the 1-mile Rudolph Scurry.

I’ll be there (not running) admiring the costumes.

LOCAL HISTORY
The Cliff Lift, Western Esplanade, 1921

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.

The above photo was taken in 1921, only 11 years after the Cliff Lift was built, in 1912.

The Southend Cliff Lift began operating on August Bank Holiday that year. Its design is unique, featuring a single elevated track for the passenger car, with the counterweight track located directly beneath. Over the years, the lift has undergone three major upgrades — in 1930, 1959, and 1990—each time introducing a new passenger car.

THE BLUES
⚽️ Southend Draw Southport in FA Trophy 4th Round

After The Shrimpers 5-3 win over Brentwood Town last weekend, Southend Utd have been drawn to face off with Southport in the Fourth Round of the Isuzu FA Trophy.

Southport beat Peterborough Sports 2-1 in their third round match. Southport currently play in the National League North and are positioned 14th.

📣 James Golding Joins from Oxford 

Last weekend Southend Utd announced the signing of James Golding on loan from Oxford Utd.

Golding plays as a centre-back and began his career in the AFC Wimbledon academy. Welcome to the team, James!

Latest Results

• Saturday 30th Nov

  • Halifax Town 0-2 Southend

• Saturday 7th Dec — 15:00 (FA Trophy - 3rd Round)

  • Brentwood Town 2-5 Southend Utd

Next Games

• Saturday 14th Dec — 15:00

  • Southend Utd vs. Hartlepool Utd

• Saturday 21st Dec — 15:00

  • York City vs. Southend Utd

Current Position

NEWS
📰 You May Have Missed…

• Rylan Clark visits Rossi’s during pants rehearsals

• Westcliff Craftsman ordered to tear out brand new windows 

• Southend Priory Park free Christmas concert announced 

• Bourgas returns as Southend Airport destination 

• Grassroots Westcliff to help improve Westcliff Library’s green spaces 

• Carols in the Park returns

• B&M comes to Victoria Shopping Centre

• New ‘Wine Meats Cheese’ store in Southend Marketplace 

• Potential changes to Southend parking charges 

• Alexandra Street tapas restaurant to open next week

• £20M retirement village near Southend Airport to begin development 

• Boat trips available to view NYE fireworks

• Luxury steam train to Wales set to start next year 

• Primary school application to close 15th Jan 

EVENTS
🗓️ Upcoming Events

Brace yourself for A LOT of Christmas events and activities!

• Grinch-travaganza TODAY Fri 13th Dec

• A Christmas Carol Concert TODAY Fri 13th Dec

• Southend Town Centre Busking Collection TODAY 13th Dec

• Artisan Craft Fair Sat 14th Dec

• Garon Park Christmas Event Sat 14th Dec

• Contemporary Elders with Trigger Bliss Sat 14th Dec

• Christmas Little Ravers Sat 14th Dec

• Crackers and Carols Sat 14th Dec

• Southend Rudolph Run Sun 15th Dec

• Free Coffee Morning Mon 16th Dec

• Royal Hotel Christmas Market Tue 17th - Thu 19th Dec

• Grinch at Grumpy’s Diner Thu 19th Dec

• Sing-along Christmas Carols w Civic Brass Band Thu 19th Dec

• Christmas Lantern Tour Fri 20th Dec

• Grinch-travaganza Fri 20th Dec

• Die Hard screening Fri 20th Dec

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!