I have some bad news…it is with regret I have to announce that Longpier.com will close with immediate effect.

The promised cash from a sponsor hasn’t materialised and the participation of local journalists to help with the writing, has fallen through. The appeal for help across the site yielded very little in terms of local input and frankly, I’m not sure there is a high enough demand for a site such as this, at present.

I just cannot maintain the site to the level I want and it would be unfair to continue at this stage.

I feel as if I’ve let a lot of people down, and for that I apologise. I’m sorry it hasn’t worked out but it feels right to close it now, rather than continue.

I will continue to tweet items of relevance to the people of the Southend borough (so do please keep me on the mailing lists) and I do want to use my spare time in a constructive manner. So please do contact me if you have a project you’d like me to work on.

Thank you so much for your interest and support in Longpier.com and I hope to keep in contact with you,

Many thanks,
James Harrod
Site Editor

They shed their inhibitions – and their clothes – to pose naked for a 2011 calendar called Risqué Business, with all the profits going to Southend Hospital Charitable Foundation’s Bosom Pals Appeal.

The calendar is the brainchild of photographer Jo Curtis, who took all the saucy snaps – she told longpier.com:

“Bosom Pals is a fantastic Southend charity and we really wanted to do something fun that would raise money for them, and promote some great local businesses at the same time. We had lots of volunteers wanting to take part and it’s been huge fun doing the photo-shoots – although I’m very grateful that I can get back to taking photos of people with their clothes on now!”

Risqué Business has been designed by Emily Hewett, who posed for it herself – recreating Demi Moore’s famous 1991 Vanity Fair cover – at eight months pregnant.

She says:

“The only thing I was worried about was getting the whole thing designed before going into labour!”

Senior Fundraising Manager at Bosom Pals, Barbara Warner added:

“We would like to say a big thankyou to everyone who was brave enough to bare all for our vitally important cause.”

Risqué Business can be purchased for £7 at locations around Southend, contact jo@jocurtisphotographer.co.uk for further details.

Unlike many other Calendar Girls-inspired projects, Risqué Business has something to make everyone smile, as it is features go-getting guys on one side and tycoon totty on the other.

The participants saucily showed their ass-ets in locations around Southend and in poses that cheekily reflect their particular business interests.

Amongst the many taking part are Adventure Island Managing Director Marc Miller, Maxim’s Casino General Manager Jimmy Howard and Marketing Manager John Harland, Leigh & Thorpe Bay Oracle Publisher Emma Wynne-Morgan, Grateful Heads owner Craig Smith, Echo Chief Features Writer Tom King, estate agent Katalina Fuller and the Southend Airport firemen.

Eight windows at St Nichols Church, New Road, were smashed with stones and conkers, causing approximately £3,000 worth of damage.

Neighbourhood constable Pc Steve Thomas said: “You have to ask yourself what kind of person attacks a church? This was not skylarking gone wrong, but systematic vandalism of a place of worship and it is important that we find those responsible.

“It is particularly tragic as the windows were only installed earlier this year after parishioners spent three years raising the tens of thousands of pounds they cost.”

Reverend Alun J Hurd said: “What is extremely sad about this whole episode is not just the damage and cost, but the seemingly utter lack of respect shown towards a building that represents much of the worshipping heart of the community in addition to a whole host of memories and important events in the lives of many who live in Wakering and beyond.

“Whether it was done out of ignorance or frustration it was a criminal act and for that reason the vandals need to account for their actions and the consequences of them.”

Anyone with information regarding the incident are asked to contact PC Thomas at Rochford police station on 0300 333 4444, extension 494106 or call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Article by Stuart Byford

The incident happened on Monday 18th October 2010 at 3:30pm in the stairwell of Mirror Steps in Woodgrange Drive.

PC Craig Davis said: “The suspect demanded the teenager’s bag but the victim ignored this and went to walk off but she was grabbed from behind and pulled into the stairwell. She was then slapped a number of times. The suspect then pushed the victim down a flight of stairs and ran off.
“I am appealing for anyone who saw anything or knows the suspect to come forward.”

The suspect has been described as a white woman aged about 40 years old, 5ft 6ins, medium build with very skinny legs and a big bust. She has dyed blond hair that is short and cut just above the ears.

Anyone with any information has been asked to call PC Davis at the CID Target Team, Southend on 0300 333 4444.

Article by Stuart Byford

At around 8.40pm last night (Thur, Oct 14th), the 38-year-old man was apparently “glassed” inside the pub on the London Road.

The man was found collapsed outside and was taken to hospital by ambulance.  Police say he had been hit in the face with a pint glass.

The suspect is described as being a white man in his mid-30s, about 6ft to 6ft 2ins tall and of medium build. He had short-shaved fair hair and wore a dark top, pale blue jeans and beige boots.

The victim remains in hospital, awaiting surgery on his eye.

Police are now appealing for witnesses to come forward.

Dc Tanya Bailey, the investigating officer, told longpier.com:

“The suspect and the victim had a short verbal exchange prior to the attack, which appears to have been completely unprovoked.

“The suspect, who is believed to be a regular of the pub, left the scene in the company of a woman and now we’re keen to hear from other pub-goers with any information they have regarding this incident.”

Dc Bailey can be called at Leigh CID on 0300 3334444. Anyone with information can also call Crimestoppers, in confidence, on 0800 555 111.

Pic courtesy: SouthendTimeline

Tickets will be priced at £20 and £45 for the events, which takes place on Saturday 11th and Sunday 12th August 2012.

A new temporary Mountain Bike course will be created within Hadleigh Farm, and work has already started in laying the foundations.

The Mountain Bike Course will be prepared with temporary grandstands and facilities to be built in the lead up to the Games.  3,000 people will be able to watch the two day event.

Children under the age of 16 at 27 July 2012 will pay their age for a ticket.  People over 60 on the same date, will pay £16.

Organisers have also revealed tickets for the opening ceremony – at the Olympic Stadium in Stratford – will cost between £20.12 and £2,012.

Of the 8.8 million tickets available, 75% will be sold to the public from March 2011.

The highest priced ticket to watch athletics is £725 for the Super Final day, which includes the men’s 100m.

Tilson, 44, was put on “gardening leave” by Blues’ chairman Ron Martin in the summer, following the club’s relegation to League Two.  Paul Brush was sacked by Martin in early 2010.

The removal of the pair angered the majority of Southend fans who cited Tilson’s ability to get the most out of players with a limited budget.  He also oversaw the most successful period in the history of the club during his seven year tenure.

Tilson and Brush have signed two and a half year contracts with the Imps and will be joined by Scott Lindsey – who stays at Sincil Bank as first team coach.

Pics courtesy: Lincoln official site/Southend official site

In the past two and a half years ‘Cycling England’ has provided funding for a whole range of bike schemes which have been administered by the Council’s ‘Cycle Southend’ team.

The news comes as the government radically alters, cuts and closes several quangos ahead of the Comprehensive Spending Review, which will be announced on Wednesday.  ‘Cycling England’ did have a budget of £60m for projects across the country.

Southend Council has confirmed funding will continue for Cycle Southend, but only up until March next year – after which government grants will have to be applied for.

The money Southend has received has led to a number of key improvements to cycling in the borough.  These have included the installation of 10.5kms of cycle track, including the Prittle Brook Greenway, Western Esplanade and Royal Artillery Way.

Cycle parking facilities have been introduced at a large number of schools, shopping parades, railway stations and other amenity areas.

The recently opened Re-Cycle Centre has repaired and sold over 150 bikes since May and by the end of March more than 3,000 children and adults will have received ‘Bikeability’ cycling proficiency training.

Mark Flewitt, Executive Councillor for Planning and Transport, told longpier.com:

“I am relieved that the Council has received assurances about funding for current cycle schemes.

“The funding it has received has led to a noticeable increase in the amount of cycling in Southend which can only be good for the town and its residents.”

Month in Southend with a keynote speech this Friday (15th October).

Mrs Lawrence’s son Stephen, 18, was murdered in a race attack in Eltham, south London in April 1993 and has since devoted her life to human rights and combating racial injustice.

She will be appearing at a special event being held at Southend Civic Centre in Victoria Avenue between 12 noon and 4pm.

Guest speaker Mrs Lawrence will be joined at the Civic by Amit Popat, who chairs the Southend Together Equalities Board.

The event has been arranged by the Black History Month Project Board which is made up of representatives from organisations across the borough in association with Southend-on-Sea Borough Council’s Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic Staff Forum.

In addition to the speakers there will be music and dancing demonstrations from Southend schoolchildren as well as exhibitions, poetry and tasty food.

The Council’s Deputy Leader, John Lamb, told longpier.com:

“We are very honoured indeed to welcome our guests, who are in the forefront of issues of equality, diversity and integration.

“They will be describing the importance of Black History Month in today’s world.

““Representatives of six schools will be in attendance and they will be having an audience with

Doreen Lawrence, who is constantly campaigning for social justice. In addition, students from Belfairs High School will be filming the occasion.

“Members of many partner organisations throughout Southend are also coming along, but the event is also open to the public. As places are limited we urge anyone interested in attending to contact us at blackhistorymonth@southend.gov.uk or by calling 01702-534862.

“There will be question and answer sessions with both of the speakers and also the chance to enjoy the displays and demonstrations on offer.”