#ourNHS national demonstration

The National Health Service is a shining achievement, I would argue Britain's greatest triumph of the twentieth century. First class healthcare, available to all, regardless of income and wealth.

It is under attack, from a Conservative Government intent on dismantling public services.

There cannot be many people whose lives have not crossed paths with the NHS - mine certainly has on many occasions.  

Yours, truly

The Government has to be made aware that the NHS is not just cherished, it is a vital resource, the envy of the world. It signals that this country cares about the health and welfare of its citizens. By their relentless attacks on its integrity the Tories are signaling their contempt for people's health and welfare.

There are some things, surely, for which money and profit are not the primary drivers.

I was proud to have marched today , taking part in #ourNHS national demonstration in London. I walked from Tavistock Square to Parliament, and I heard the Labour Leader, Jeremy Corbyn, address those assembled.

I cannot even begin to estimate how many marched, but it must have been in six figures.

See BBC: NHS protest: Tens of thousands march against 'hospital cuts'

https://www.ournhs.info/

One of many Labour banners

Southend Labour LCF Secretary at the national demonstration

Jeremy Corbyn speaks

Wot, no conservation in Southend?

We are fast approaching the anniversary of the last time the Conservation Working Party met. Yes, that's right, a whole year that this important body has not met, and this is a disgrace.

Clearly, the Conservative-UKIP coalition cares not about conservation, because that last meeting was held under the previous Joint Administration that Labour was a senior partner in.

There are fifteen conservation areas Southend-on-Sea as designated by the Borough Council. They ensure that the architectural heritage is looked after, that the best is preserved and standards upheld. Milton ward is home to five of them.

We are fortunate to have had so much of our heritage preserved, despite some disastrous developments over the years. The Conservation Working Party helps to identify the special historical and architectural interest of the conservation areas, review boundaries and controls, and arrange for a management plan.

By not meeting the ruling administration are showing that conservation is not a priority for them. This is very worrying for all who care about keeping the best of the town beautiful.

The working party has eight councillors and is chaired by Cllr Holland (deputy leader of the Conservative Group).

Representatives from the following local organisations also attend: South East Essex Archaeological Society, Milton Conservation Society, Leigh Society, The Southend Society, Shoebury Society, CAWS, and Southend and District Building Preservation Trust.

The last Conservative Working Party met on March 14th, 2016. It is anyone's guess as to when the Conservative-UKIP coalition can be bothered to call the next one.

Southend pier

Not only is Southend's pier a major landmark, it most readily defines the town when describing it to others. It is a much neglected icon, a symbol of both the town in its heyday, and of the neglect that both it and the town has had to endure over the years.

This Victorian wonder must have presaged wondrous things to come in the minds of those who dreamt it up. One cannot but think that a measure of disappointment would visit them if they could but be brought back to life to see what has become of the structure and the town that is its home.

Many can recall all sorts of amusements at both ends of the pier, and the tiered decking at the sea end that was home to food outlets as well as a pub.

It is 41 years since the great pier fire, and not much in reality has been done in the intervening years to bring the world's longest pleasure pier back to anything resembling its magnificent former glory. Money is promised to repair  the pier so that it remains intact, and does not fall apart from neglect. Whether schemes to really and radically improve the tourist offer come to anything remain to be seen. Southend Labour is committed to the pier and wants it to remain Southend's premier attraction.

Southend-on-Sea is a Victorian and Edwardian seaside town, booming in its formative years. Southend Labour are keen to modernise the town and its pier, whilst retaining the best of the heritage we have inherited. We have a wonderful natural resource in our long foreshore, and the pier bisects this, offering a voyage into the Thames. This much-love amenity must be made wonderful again - the town and its residents deserve it.

We must also cherish the heritage that is abundant; the town's many conservation areas should be enhanced and advertised because there really is so much to admire. Admittedly there is neglect, but with the will to improve and tidy up much can be done without the need for a vast outlay of money.

Let's have some real investment, with schemes that can and will transform the pier. No more half-baked ideas that drain both resources and reserves of goodwill.

Subterranean passageways

Subways, subterranean passageways - what romance, what adventure!

Perhaps it is too much film noir, perhaps it is the sheer unworldliness of these places. Perhaps it is that smidgeon of unease, a tad of disquietitude, the discomfort of isolation that makes these places both exotic and uneasy.  Whatever the reason, somehow I love them.

There are precious few in Southend-on-Sea, and I rarely use them. But boy do I get a kick out of travelling their long, tubular passages. Their thrusting penetration into Mother Earth; their inevitable rising, their proud entry, and exit.

 

These underground journeys, quietly traversing roads away from view. I celebrate your every inch.

Unitarian Meeting House

One of the little pleasures about being on the Standing Advisory Council on Religious Education is their choice of venue for their meetings. It is a moving feast, a veritable cornucopia of delights.

Yesterday it was the Unitarian Meeting House in Grange Gardens. I have oft seen this little treasure from outside, but never have I been within. Now I can claim to have seen inside.

OK, it is a little less exciting inside, a rather bland building to be honest, functional doubtless. Nonetheless, I am pleased to have seen it. The building lies in Kursaal ward, but it is within a stone's throw of the ward I represent - quite literally. (Do not ask that I test that particular theory out).

I confess to quite enjoying SACRE meetings, notwithstanding my secular leanings. I have to say, though, that the large rooms with poor heating are not a good fit with winter weather - I did get a little cold from my ninety minutes there.

The annual report was interesting, not least because Southend-on-Sea's schools are outperforming national averages in GCSE attainment in religious education. This was put down, in part, to the work of the committee. I pat myself on the back.

Challenging budgets came up, and religious education does suffer from the ongoing squeeze.

Women Count: It is unusual, in my experience, to see gender parity in many Council committee meetings. However, yesterday's gender count amongst those in attendance was: male 7, female 6. Yes, I did just assume your gender.