Latest news with #CityDay
Yahoo
3 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Striking poppy display to line city's famous pier
Thousands of knitted poppies are expected to turn a city's famous pier into a striking remembrance memorial. The display will run the entire 1.33-mile (2.14km) length of Southend Pier in Essex from 5-16 November. People have been invited to donate their creations by the end of September. Labour city councillor Matt Dent said it would be a "truly memorable" commemoration. The display would culminate with a "dramatic installation at the pier's selfie signpost", Southend-on-Sea City Council said. Crafters of all skills were encouraged to get involved, with Dent hoping it would instil "a sense of civic pride". He added: "As well as being a poignant tribute, I expect the display will give a welcome boost to tourism and visitor numbers on the pier during the quieter off-peak season." Follow Essex news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X. Much-loved biker event makes comeback Rundown playgrounds will be spruced up with £1m Seafront celebrates first City Day festival Southend-on-Sea City Council
Yahoo
12-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Port revamp and seafront 'oasis' work moves nearer
A £2m project to tackle seafront flooding is set to get under way, while a £14.8m regeneration of a port has moved a step closer. Southend Council has submitted a planning application to renovate Leigh Port which, if approved, would bring improvements to part of Leigh's historic Old Town. The separate £2m scheme on Southend's Marine Parade will see the creation of a "green oasis" featuring a large green space with a small stream, canopies and a series of rain gardens with hydro-rocks to absorb water and prevent flooding. Both schemes have been funded by the government's Levelling up Fund, Southend Council, Anglian Water and the Regional Flood and Coastal Committee. The Leigh plans would see a new quay wall installed, the resurfacing of the quay and a small craft club demolished. Labour's Lydia Hyde, cabinet member for climate, environment and waste, said: "We're continuing to work with key partners to make sure the project protects our environment and is delivered in a cost-effective way." The scheme would see a new surface and trade waste drainage system and the dredging of Leigh Port's channel from Belton Way downstream along Lower Leigh Creek. Previously, the plans were delayed while work was carried out to ensure there would be no significant environmental impacts. The Local Democracy Reporting Service said the scheme would enlarge the berth area of the port and make it safer, reduce the flood risk, improve water quality and reduce congestion in the High Street. Ms Hyde said the Marine Parade scheme would be delivered in phases and the first would start "imminently". "This will focus on the junction at Hartington Road and Seaway, where we'll be realigning kerb lines to create a rain garden that collects and stores surface water runoff," she said. "Phase two - the north side of Marine Parade - and phase three - the south side of Marine Parade - will follow, and we'll continue to share updates as the project progresses. "We'll be working closely with stakeholders to minimise disruption and make sure the programme doesn't impact the summer season." Follow Essex news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X. Rundown playgrounds will be spruced up with £1m Seafront celebrates first City Day festival Leigh Port Local Democracy Reporting Service Southend-on-Sea City Council
BBC News
21-03-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Hundreds watch drone show over Douglas marking city anniversary
Hundreds of people have watched the Isle of Man's first ever drone show to mark the first anniversary of the Manx capital becoming a city. Queen Camilla conferred the status on Douglas in a ceremony on 20 March last year, which the council has named City Day. The display took place over the bay on Thursday evening in front of large crowds. It featured a number of well-known Isle of Man icons, events, and locations, including the Laxey Wheel, a Manx cat and a tribute to Manx-born siblings the Bee Gees. And the TT Races were also among the events highlighted, with the well-known logo flashing across the sky, after the outline of the course and a motorbike moved across the bay. The Tower of Refuge and a tribute to the wild population of wallabies were also featured in the show. Star Symphony Drone Shows ran the event of behalf of the local authority with support from the ELS Group, which provided the sound from the Department for Enterprise met "ancillary costs", it was one of eight places to be given city status as part of Queen Elizabeth II's Platinum Jubilee celebrations in 2022. Read more stories from the Isle of Man on the BBC, watch BBC North West Tonight on BBC iPlayer and follow BBC Isle of Man on Facebook and X.
BBC News
02-03-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Thousands turn out for Southend's first City Day festival
Thousands of people joined celebrations for Southend's first City Day. The event on Saturday was held three years to the date since the area was granted city status by Queen Elizabeth II in all-day festival included live performances from actors, singers and dancers, and was headlined by Basildon-born actress and presenter Denise Van Outen, who hosted a DJ set in the City Council leader, Labour's Daniel Cowan, said some 50,000 people enjoyed the "amazing" event. "City Day is about showing people what Southend is, and really trying to capture that civic pride that we want all people to have in the place that they live," he said. Southend City Stage and the Southend City Songwriters Stage saw community choirs, amateur dramatic groups and bands performing. More than 30 artists helped to transform the city centre with their street art at a live outdoor painting event, led by local artist Andy with street-facing windows were encouraged to decorate them for the day. The bestowment of city status came after a lifetime of campaigning from Southend's former MP, Sir David Amess, a veteran Conservative and Southend West David's greatest wish was awarded a year after he was murdered during a constituency surgery in October 2021. Follow Essex news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
BBC News
01-03-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Southend City Day celebrations to mark three years of city status
A seafront city is preparing to be lit up by live performances during a day of City Day is planned for Saturday, three years to the date since the area was granted city status by Queen Elizabeth II in held for the first time, the all-day event is being headlined by actress and presenter Denise Van what is Southend City Day and how is it being marked? What can we expect? There will be two stages offering live shows throughout the day - the Southend City Stage and the Southend City Songwriters choirs, amateur dramatic groups and bands will perform on the city stage from 11:00 GMT to 17: Van Outen will kick off the "Disco City" party from 18:05, with other DJs performing under a 2m (6.5ft) disco ball until 22: songwriters have been booked to sing their original songs on the songwriters stage between 11:00 and 17: than 30 artists are also planning to transform the city centre when they paint street art throughout the day. A live outdoor painting event, led by local artist Andy Downes, is also part of the schedule, and people with street-facing windows have been encouraged to decorate them for the Saturday, performers will roam the High Street alongside food vendors, a brass band and various activities, workshops and support from community and faith groups will be on offer at both the Victoria Centre and The Royals Shopping Essex will be broadcasting live from the event between 10:00 and 14:00. Why was city status so significant? Southend-on-Sea is instantly recognisable to many, largely thanks to its 1.34 mile-long (2km) pleasure pier - the world's dubbed "London's beach" due to its proximity to the capital's East End, the Essex resort is popular with people looking to enjoy some sea became England's 52nd city when the King - then the Prince of Wales - delivered a letters patent from the Queen. The bestowment of city status came after a lifetime of campaigning from Sir David Amess, a veteran Conservative and Southend West David's greatest wish was awarded after he was murdered during a constituency surgery in October life will be commemorated as part of the celebrations on Saturday, including a show from the Music Man Project at 12:00. What have people said? Daniel Cowan, the Labour leader of Southend-on-Sea City Council, said the event was a chance to showcase everything great about the city."City Day is a fantastic opportunity to celebrate the organisations, charities, and volunteers who do so much for Southend," he said it was important to remember Sir David's contributions, adding many were still inspired by his "passion for our city".He continued: "This day is a wonderful way to honour his legacy while showcasing everything that makes Southend special." Follow Essex news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
