It certainly woke me up, and had me worried for the safety of the pilot and those on board.  I didn’t get up in time to see the aircraft, but what sounded like a plane in distress was anything but.

The aircraft was – in fact – beginning a world record attempt to fly from London to Cape Town in South Africa and back again, solo in a single engined 200 hp propeller driven aeroplane.  It’s a distance of just under 12,000 miles.

It’s been done twice before – once in 1939 by Alex Henshaw and again – last year – by Charles Stobbart in a record 3 days, 15 hours and 17 minutes.

But wanting to break that record is Steve Noujaim, who took off from Southend Airport at 4.38am on Tuesday morning.

It’s already been a long journey for Steve.  In 1981 he read “The Flight of the Mew Gull”, Henshaw’s book about his early life and in particular the Cape flight. This amazing story got him thinking, and in 2001 he and his wife Anna decided to build an aeroplane to attempt the challenge flight.

Henshaw′s challenge is very specific. It does not relate to the records as such. It relates to his own flight, there and back in less time than he did it in a 200hp single engined propellor driven aircraft, solo, by whatever means.

Steve’s day job is a long haul airline Captain. For relaxation Steve teaches Aerobatics and displays warbirds.  Suffice to say this man is into his planes.

At the time of writing (0830 Sep 1st), Steve had made it to Brazzaville in the Democratic Republic of Congo, and is 18 minutes ahead of schedule.

We’re tracking Steve’s progress – and hope to bring you some good news regarding the world record.  If you’d like to follow Steve in real time, then click this link.  If you’re inspired by his efforts, you can sponsor him here.

The funnyman – who had been nominated twice in the past – beat off competition from Josie Long, Sarah Millican, Greg Davies and Bo Burnham.

Russell’s ‘Smokescreens and Castles‘ show was a massive hit in Edinburgh this year and scooped the prize – formerly known as the Perrier Award – on Monday night (30th Aug).

Russell told longpier.com:

“I’m in absolute disbelief and delight. Hard things to combine, but I’m doing it.”

Awards organiser Nica Burns said:

“Following in the footsteps of Al Murray with a hugely popular win on the third consecutive nomination, Russell Kane takes the audience by storm with his boundless energy and enthusiasm.

“An extremely funny show from a very talented comic.”

‘Smokescreens and Castles‘ looks at self, family and the consequences of Russell’s Dad buying his own council house. Sociological silliness and high energy contortions guaranteed – according to the Fringe’s official website.

Russell joins a long list of top comedians who have won this prize – including Frank Skinner, Harry Hill and Al Murray.

70 year old David Churn from Plumberow Avenue in Hockley, died when his Toyota Hilux struck a blue Ford Fiesta and then left the road colliding with a lamppost, electricity post and a tree at around 12.40pm on Saturday (28 Aug).

The Essex Air Ambulance attended but the doctor from the aircraft certified Mr Churn dead at the scene. No one else was injured in the crash although a woman passenger in the Fiesta suffered shock.  Police say Mr Churn could have fallen ill at the wheel.

The Fiesta was being driven by a 61-year-old Basildon man.  The road was closed for a number of hours whilst the emergency services dealt with the incident.

Mr Churn was a retired plant driver and had lived in Hockley for the past 17 months, but previously lived in Great Wakering for 16 years.

He was married to Wendy, and leaves a son Gary, and grandchildren Jason and Robby. David was a keen sea and freshwater fisherman and owned his own boat. He and Wendy were planning an extended holiday to New Zealand. He will be greatly missed by his family and friends.

Anyone who witnessed the crash or may have seen the Toyota immediately before is asked to contact the Rayleigh road policing unit on 0300 333 4444, where the officer dealing is Pc Gavin Freeman.

At about 9.45pm on Saturday (28th Aug) officers received information that a group of people was in the process of setting up tents, lighting and sound equipment on the island – behind Leigh railway station.

Officers attended the scene immediately and warned the group that action would be taken, should they continue. The group heeded the warning and dismantled their equipment.

A road block was put in place at Leigh railway station and vehicles and people intending to attend the event were turned away.

Superintendent Gwyn Williams told longpier.com:

“I am sure that the early intervention by the officers on the scene prevented an event taking place that could have led to significant nuisance and offences. These unregulated events in unsuitable locations also pose a threat to the safety of those attending.”

National Pool Lifeguard Qualification (NPLQ) courses are being offered at Warriors Swim Centre in Southend.   If you are 16 or over, physically fit, can swim to a good level and get to the bottom of the deepest part of a swimming pool, you’re in with a shout.

The NPLQ course runs for 40 hours generally over a seven day period, at the end of which you take an exam by an independent assessor.

You will be examined on how much you know about CPR, first aid, hazards and risk assessments, role of a lifeguard, accident prevention and water based rescue skills, your fitness and team work abilities.

The course is scheduled to take place on Saturday 11th September 9am – 5pm, Sunday 12th September 9am – 5pm, and Monday 13th – Friday 17th September 4.30pm – 9.30pm.

For more information on the course or other dates and times, please contact Reception at Warriors Swim Centre on 01702 215011 or visit www.creating-leisure.co.uk

The facilities – on North Road and Valkyrie Road – will cost £14.1m to build and could benefit up to 40,000 people.

Planning applications have now been submitted to Southend Council and, if approved, building work could start as early as April next year.

The buildings will not be owned by the Primary Care Trust, but let from South East Essex LIFT  – a Local Improvement Finance Trust.

Margaret Hathaway Associate Director of Commercial Services for NHS South East Essex told longpier.com:

“I am thrilled that we’ve reached this stage, especially in light of the tough financial climate.  It’s vital that community premises continue to improve to be able to deliver high quality modern healthcare”

“We have been delighted by the positive response we’ve had to our existing Primary Care Centres in Leigh and Canvey and we hope that the residents of Westcliff-on-Sea will be able to share the benefits these centres offer.  We remain passionate about improving access to local heath services for patients.”

Local GPs are supportive of the development as the new Primary Care Centres would not only mean modern facilities for both staff and patients but would also provide more service delivered locally and provide a sound platform for GPs to take on more of a commissioning role – as recently outlined in the recent white paper: Equity and Excellence – Liberating the NHS.

The new facilities will also bring other NHS services together, under one roof, meaning that staff will be able to work more closely with other healthcare professionals to improve patient care.

It is planned that each of the new centres will include a range of services including GP services, a pharmacy, phlebotomy services and community nursing services.

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THE PLANS?  Leave a comment below.

A 21-year-old woman and her boyfriend were walking in Chichester Road at 8.40pm on August 15 when they were approached by a large group of teenagers, male and female, who shouted racial abuse at them.  The incident has only just come to light today (25th Aug).

Police are appealing for anyone with information to contact Pc Karl Help at Southend police station on 0300 333 4444.

Two vehicles were set alight on the Woodgrange estate in the early hours of Sunday morning.

A silver Peugeot 306 was torched in the car park underneath Candy Terrace, while a grey Vauxhall Astra convertible was moved from its original position underneath Mirror Steps, Kursaal Way, and set alight at the junction of Beresford Road and Burdett Road.

The arrested man – from Bury St Edmunds in Suffolk – has been released on bail pending further enquiries to October 29.

The event takes place between 10am and 4pm and is a celebration of all that is great about the country that gave us the Pizza and Pavarotti – and in true Italian fashion, has something for all the family, from the bambini (kids) to nonna (grandma).

For motor racing fans there is a unique opportunity at Victoria Circus to get up close with a Ferrari 430 GT car and chat to Thorpe Bay’s hotly-tipped Formula Renault racing star, Robert Foster-Jones. There is also an Italian Super Car display – including Ferraris, Lamborghinis, Maseratis – and a display of classic Alfa Romeo’s, who are celebrating their centenary this year.

Take a leisurely stroll up the High Street and you can admire a stunning collection of Ducati motorcycles (outside) and Vespa scooters (inside) The Royals.

Apart from the fashion, the cars, opera and of course, the country itself, many say the best thing about Italy, is its cuisine. For foodies, there will be a wealth of opportunities to sample and enjoy the vast range of Italian cooking and flavours.

Taste Italia, the Essex award-winning organic cookery school, will be hosting a series of taste-tests and cooking demonstrations outside The Royals. There’s fun for the kids with a free pasta art workshops inside The Royals or they can get creative and have a go at Italian Street Art outside.

There is also the chance to sample ice-cream outside Southend’s famous Tomassi’s Cafe, before picking up some authentic and delicious Italian
produce to take home from the Italia in Piazza market.

Roaming entertainers will also keep everyone amused with opera arias (and much more), whilst the BBC Essex Roadshow will entertain the crowds at Victoria Circus – and prepare for the Pizza Throwing Contest hosted by Mike & Ollie from BBC Essex Introducing outside The Royals.

Fancy doing your own (legal) version of the Italian Job? Well, there’s a chance to win a brand new Mini Cooper for just £1 – raffle tickets can be bought at the Italian Job display, with all money raised going to children’s charity KidsOut.

The Italian Festival has been organised by the Town Centre Partnership, chaired by Dawn Jeakings, Centre Manager of The Royals Shopping Centre, who says:

“It’s going to be a fantastic day with loads of great things going on. We really hope it will encourage people to come along and see what the High Street has to offer. Events like the Italian Festival are all about promoting Southend Town Centre as the destination of choice for shoppers and traders, residents and visitors.”

Taste Italia taste-tests and cooking demonstrations outside The Royals – 10.30, 11.30, 12.30, 1.30, 2.30 & 3.30pm

Tomassi ice cream sampling outside Tomassi’s Cafe – 11, 12, 1, 2 & 3pm

Pizza Throwing Contest outside The Royals – 2.30pm

See preview of last year’s event here

The Blues – who currently sit third from bottom in League Two – held the Premier League side – at Molineux – for more than 120 minutes.

The home side – who are 7th in the top division – took the lead on 27 minutes when Serbian international Nenad Milijas dispatched a penalty past Glenn Morris.

But Southend – who more than held their own – equalised on 80, when Craig Easton scored for the visitors.

The game went into extra time, with both sides having chances.  But it was the home side who finally made the breakthrough in injury time of extra time when Richard Stearman put Wolves through to the third round with virtually the final kick of the game.