Browsing: General Interest

Young people across Southend are being encouraged to have their say as the Make Your Mark youth ballot returns for 2026. The national campaign gives 11 to 18 year-olds the chance to vote on the issues that matter most to them, with real local change already delivered following record turnout in 2024.

London Southend Airport has extended its popular Geneva route through to mid-October, adding eight extra weeks of easyJet flights and cementing the Swiss city’s status as a year-round destination for lakes, mountains and city breaks.

Southend-on-Sea City Council is inviting residents to attend Holocaust Memorial Day 2026 events, including a civic service at the Civic Centre where Holocaust survivor’s daughter Marta Josephs will share her father’s story. The programme also includes exhibitions, a memorial tree planting and reflections marking the theme “Bridging Generations”.

Southend-on-Sea City Council opens its 2026 Concert Series with a recital by acclaimed British pianist and composer Neil Crossland, featuring a varied programme of classical favourites and original compositions at the Civic Centre.

Southend East and Rochford MP Bayo Alaba visited the Shoeburyness National Coastwatch Institution station, meeting volunteers and presenting a Certificate of Competence to new recruit Bethan Mason. The station plays a vital role in supporting coastal safety alongside the Coastguard and RNLI.

Southend is overflowing with festive cheer this year, offering families, friends, and visitors an incredible variety of Christmas experiences across…

ForwardMotion supported Eastwood Primary School’s Cycle to School Week, delivering Bikeability training to pupils in Years 4 and 6. The sessions taught practical safety skills, enabling some children to ride for the first time while preparing others for independent travel to secondary school. Council Leader Cllr Daniel Cowan praised the initiative for building “confidence, independence, and healthy habits.”

The SME National Business Awards 2025 lit up the QEII in Westminster as entrepreneurs and small businesses from across the UK celebrated success, innovation, and community spirit. The evening crowned Wiseup Networks as Overall Winner in an inspiring showcase of enterprise excellence.

Southend City BID is inviting local retailers to take part in this year’s Christmas in the City celebrations by joining the Elf on a Shop Shelf Trail. Running from 15th November to Christmas Eve, ten shops will receive a festive elf to display and be promoted as part of this magical citywide trail.

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Southend-on-Sea City Council has successfully prosecuted a local man for blue badge fraud, reinforcing its commitment to tackling misuse of the system and protecting support for those who genuinely need it. Innocent Kadowonda, 40, of Gordon Road, Southend-on-Sea, pleaded guilty to unlawful use of a disabled person’s parking badge and theft after being caught using a badge issued to a local care organisation. He was fined and ordered to pay costs totalling £714.