🌊 The Happiest Place in UK

How about that? Southend town ranks in the top 10 happiest places in the country.

Author

Tom McCloud
December 06, 2024

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

Before we get started I’d like to ask one favour; I’d love for each and every one of you to forward this email to one other person that lives in or around Southend. I want this newsletter to reach as many people as possible so that I can continue to improve the content I send out each week. Thank you!

In today’s Southend Spotlight:

  • Are we some of the happiest people in the country? 🙂 

  • Are our trains about to get better? 🚈 

  • Are there too many Christmas events? 🎅🏻

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.

There are a tonne of events this weekend (pretty much all Christmas related.)

— Tom McCloud

HIGHLIGHTS
🙂 Leigh-on-Sea Makes Top 10 Happiest Places

That’s right!

According to Rightmove’s 2024 survey, Leigh-on-Sea ranks 8th in the list of happiest places to live in the UK.

The survey uses 15 key happiness factors and measures a mix of things, like:

  • A welcoming community where you can truly be yourself

  • Access to nature, such as local countryside, or National Parks

  • Practical things, like nearby schools, doctors, and shops

Old Leigh

Do you live in Leigh? If you do, let me know if you agree. Personally, I love Leigh. I don’t live there though, but it’s perfect for a walk around on the weekend. I just wish there was somewhere to park!

🚝 Southend Trains First to Be Nationalised

C2C and Greater Anglia trains are amongst the first batch of rail lines to fall back into government hands as part of their renationalisation project.

It’s too early to tell what this will mean for commuters. The government are promising more reliable services and cheaper fairs. Although we all know how easy it can be to promise these things.

C2C Train

How often do you commute by train? Are you excited for these changes or are you concerned? Reply and let me know your thoughts.

THIS WEEKEND
🎄 Old Leigh Christmas Market

It’s no surprise that the upcoming events section is overrun with Christmas events and markets.

This weekend we have the Old Leigh Christmas Market which will have a number of local small businesses present. It’s definitely the place to be if you’re looking for a gift with that personal, handmade touch.

The Christmas market will be outside The Crooked Billet and will take place over both Saturday and Sunday.

The Crooked Billet’s Christmas Lights

Don’t forget to look at the Upcoming Events section at the bottom of this email. There are Christmas markets taking place all over! If Leigh is too far out of your way, then you can head to a Christmas market in Southend centre or in Shoebury!

🍿 Christmas Film Day 

Are you a Christmas film lover?

The Palace Theatre are hosting a Christmas Film Day this Sunday with a selection of back-to-back-to-back seasonal movies for all ages to enjoy.

Tickets are £7 (+£2 booking fee) for the entire day! You can come and go as you please, watching the entire lineup of merry movies or stay for just one or two.

Kevin McAllister - Home Alone

The films that will be screening are:

  • The Muppet Christmas Carol — 1.00pm

  • Home Alone — 4.00pm

  • White Christmas — 7.00pm

LOCAL HISTORY
The High Street, Old Leigh

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.

Then and Now by Jon Wennington

This photo shows the old 17th century pub ‘King’s Head Inn’ in Old Leigh, which no longer exists as it was demolished to make room for the rail line and the old train station. The train station was then relocated to its current position and the old station now serves as the sailing club headquarters.

THE BLUES
⚽️ A Game To Remember

Southend United’s annual Game to Remember will take place on Boxing Day during the match against Ebbsfleet United.

Fans can honour Blues supporters who passed away in 2024 by submitting their names for inclusion in the matchday programme, tannoy announcements, and scoreboard during a pre-kickoff moment of reflection.

Submissions close at 6pm on Wednesday, 18 December.

Southend Utd - A Game To Remember

📣 Fan Advisory Board Announced 

Southend United has announced the six supporters selected for the newly-formed Fan Advisory Board (FAB).

The FAB will offer valuable insights on key issues and work with the club to ensure fans’ voices shape its future. A Southend United Board member and a Shrimpers Trust representative will also join the FAB, with the first meeting set for Thursday, 12th December. The club now plans to create a Youth Advisory Board, with more details to follow.

Blues fans

Congratulations to the six supporters!

  • Simon Wingrove

  • Phil Bigwood

  • Lewis Hobday

  • Chris Lee

  • Michelle Gargate

  • Danny Coe.

Latest Results

  • Tuesday 26th Nov

    • Woking 0-0 Southend Utd

  • Saturday 30th Nov

    • Halifax Town 0-2 Southend

Next Games

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

    • Brentwood Town vs. Southend Utd

  • Saturday 14th Dec — 15:00

    • Southend Utd vs. Hartlepool Utd

Current Position

Southend are currently 14th in the National League

EVENTS
🗓️ Upcoming Events

Brace yourself for A LOT of Christmas events and activities!

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