FEATURE: FAR FROM THE MADDING CROWD

Southend resident Jessica Russell writes for longpier.com – in this feature she looks at where to spend those lazy, hazy summer days…

“Summer has arrived in no uncertain terms in Southend and I am always glad to escape my arid hot box of a garden and head down to the front to catch a breeze.  What I am less keen on is sharing “my” space with the hordes of seasonal visitors!

Obviously we need them for the local economy, to keep things vibrant, and to pay for those palm trees; it’s just sometimes I fancy a bit of chill out time.  So what to do?  In this short summer series I am going to share the more exclusive spots that I enjoy on my own terms – just don’t all join me at once…

First up is Westcliff Library on London Road.  I have been there plenty of times and missed the jewel in its crown, but first let’s get through the library’s timeline.  It celebrates its 50th anniversary this year, having been built on a bomb-damaged site after the Second World War.  The residents campaigned long and hard to get their own library there and, designed by Patrick Burridge F.R.I.B.A., it was finally opened in 1960.  The building became Grade II listed in 1998, in my view due to it being an excellent example of a post-modern public building, officially because of its “special architectural and historic interest”.  Today the library still enjoys its original open plan layout and the its original glass and wood features give it a light and welcoming aspect.  Note also how Mr Burridge built in a kindess to his library users, the overhanging roof was designed to reduce the glare from the south facing frontage and “provide protection… for readers”.

As interesting as the architectural and historical details are, for me the real reason to visit in the summer months has to be the “secret” walled garden at the back.  A shady haven on the hottest seaside days, there are chairs to relax in whilst you read a book or one of the daily newspapers.  It’s like capturing a timeless moment for yourself in this hectic world of today.  Don’t worry about taking books out there either; the garden was designed for just this purpose as an “open-air extension of the library”.

Now all we need, apart from a good book, is the sun to keep shining.

Mon: 9am – 7pm | Tue: 9am – 4pm | Thu, Fri & Sat: 9am – 5pm”