The Museum in the Cliffs

I was pleased to see that the planning application for the new museum and related cliff stabilisation was passed by the council's Development Control Committee with strong backing from all 4 party groups. This proposal addresses 3 issues. Firstly there remains a need to carry out further and significant stabilisation works in the area because of the continuing challenge of the soil conditions which exist along the cliffs from Belton Way to the Town Centre and threaten further land slips if the wrong weather and ground condition combine. Secondly the area of the current slip is unsightly and prevents safe public access in a central area which is important to the Town's public face. Thirdly it provides a proper home for a dramatic new museum to house the important Saxon King relics as well as other items and gives space for traveling exhibitions which will not only enable us to bring the Saxon King relics home but also greatly expand our tourist offer particularly in the context of trying to attract visitors for longer than a day. The Council has allocated scarce funds to carry out the required stabilisation but this does not include the reinstatement of the cliff as the funds for this are way beyond our resources. However by sinking the museum behind the stabilising wall we increase the effect, have a proposal which is more likely to attract funding and then have the opportunity to reinstate the cliff over the top to allow public access once again. It is simply wrong and misleading to suggest that we are able to stabilise, scrap the museum and reinstate the cliffs to their previous state.

Pier Building open at last

It has been a repeated pledge of our administration that we would reinstate a building at the end of the Pier and that in doing so we would follow the wishes of the public in the consultation carried out some years ago. It has not been easy. First there was extensive work to the structure of the Pier together with the necessary fire detection and protection systems, the withdrawal of the promised funding and yet another boat collision. However we have got there and the new building is a dramatic sight from the shore being a perfect blend between the listed pier and the dramatic and modern building. Having been in the building it provides some dramatic display space both inside and out and marvelous views to the sea and shore.The first of a busy calendar , a Southend Comedy Festival, has been a great success and promises to return next year. If you have not done so yet I would urge you to visit the end of the Pier and enjoy the perhaps forgotten pleasure of a stroll into the estuary with great views all round and the treat of the new cultural centre to reward you at the Pier head.with

Olympic Flame burns bright in Southend

It was great to see that the slightly damp weather conditions did not dampen the spirits of the thousands who watched the passage of the Olympic Flame across the town to include the amazing performance of the choir of 2000 singing the new anthem commissioned for the event. I would challenge anyone to dispute that the view of the flame holder standing in front of the choir in full voice with the tide in and pier stretching out behind was simply fantastic. As one of those traveling with the flame was happy to say more than once it was the most dramatic and effective sight he had witnessed in the torch's journey to that point. It was also great to see that in the BBC's recent 30 minute documentary the choir were pictured towards the end of the programme with a snatch of the anthem seeing the programme out.

Soaring Pigeons at City Beach

On Friday night we made one of our occasional visits to Chinnerys on the seafront to see the Pigeon Detectives who I have not seen live since the Reading Festival some years ago.Whilst the Cliffs Pavilion is now attracting some good bands there is nothing to beat the intimacy of Chinnerys - a truly fantastic venue for local music lovers.The Pigeons really rose to the occasion and were probably the best I have ever seen in the town - even beating the Sweet at the Kursaal in the early seventies!The night was up close, hot, sweaty, pushy, and cramped with crowd surfing,and water/beer everywhere - simply great.And to make it even better I know there was at least one person there who was older than me (but don't worry Pete I won't say who) I am looking forward to the next time already.

Freud and all that

Having greatly enjoyed the David Hockney exhibition at the Royal Academy we had tried and failed to get in to the Lucien Freud Exhibition at the National Portrait Gallery.Undeterred we pre booked tickets and went yesterday morning.For me it did not reach the heights of the Hockney display (in particular his iPad pictures were amazing) but none the less well worth the trip and entrance money.Art really seems to be on the up with every recent visit we have made packed out with enthusiastic visitors.The day continued well with a beer (or 2!) in a central London pub watching the Rugby Premiership Final between Quins and Leicester.A great game with, in my impartial view, the right result but keeping us all on the edge of our seats until the final whistle.Come on Gloucester it is yours to lose next year!!!Theses visits help strengthen my own view that to continue to develop the Town as a cultural centre for the region has to be a priority as a way to attract visitors, employment and investment.a key to this remains our plans for the new museum and return of the Saxon King artefacts.

Flying start to fun packed summer

What a difference the sun makes and what a great start to the summer season with a well attended air festival in hot sunshine.Let us hope for similarly kind weather for a succession of events from the jubilee, cricket festival, art trail, Olympics, folk festival and on and on. That is not forgetting the opening of the renovated Priory with new visitor centre and the launch of the new Pier Head cultural centre.It promises to be an exciting 2012!

Chalk dust and fantasy,

I must admit to avoiding Shoebury Independent. (and former failed Labour candidate)Anne Chalks blog. If in the need of fiction I prefer Robert Ludlum - but I am told that she is now moaning about the proposal to put beach huts on the beach at Shoebury.This proposal was included quite clearly as a new capital item in the capital budget approved by the Council in April. It will come as no surprise that Cllr Chalk made no comment on the proposal during the budget process or debate and certainly did not suggest that it be rejected. Shoebury residents may be thinking why bother have her as a councillor.She is in the privileged position (like all of us) to raise issues of concern at the time not simply at a later date when she thinks there may be a few votes in it.The question is did she not bother to read the budget papers at the time, or did she read them and agree with the proposal and has only changed her mind now.This all sounds very familiar as those who recall my earlier items on Hinguar School will know.