Latest news with #Southend-on-SeaCityCouncil
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
09-05-2025
- Yahoo
Search for Shakedown bikers who 'flouted safety'
A police force has said it recorded about 50 motoring offences during a major motorcycle event. After a three-year break, the Southend Shakedown - which attracts hundreds of bikers - returned to the city in April. Essex Police and the city's council have praised most riders who went to the Easter Monday rally, but the force has appealed for help to trace those spotted acting dangerously. "If these riders act this way when they attend a popular public event, I have grave concerns as to how they behave on the road on a day-to-day basis," said Adam Pipe, head of roads policing. He added: "The overwhelming majority of bikers who took part in the Southend Shakedown did so responsibly – but we cannot ignore those who flouted road safety. "In 2025 alone, we've seen the tragic loss of more than 20 lives [on the roads]. "That number is heartbreaking, and we're determined to do all we can to stop more lives being lost." At the Shakedown, officers spotted 23 illegal, obscured or missing number plates and dealt with one "fail to stop" incident. The force said there were two careless riding incidents, and five riders without insurance. There were four seizures under Section 165 of the Road Traffic Act 1988, as well as one seizure for antisocial driving. Police also dealt with untaxed vehicles, dangerous tyres, invalid MOTs, two minor collisions and criminal damage. After reviewing footage, officers identified 16 additional incidents of dangerous driving. Essex Police said it was hoping to track down those involved and urged anyone with information to contact them. Daniel Cowan, the Labour leader of Southend-on-Sea City Council, said: "We want Shakedown to have a positive future in Southend, and that means keeping everyone safe and setting the right example for the years ahead." He added: "The return of Shakedown was a huge success. "Thousands of people came to Southend, families enjoyed the day, and seafront traders reported a welcome boost in business." Follow Essex news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X. Much-loved biker event makes comeback Bikers delighted with much-loved Shakedown's return Seafront motorcycle rally to return after hiatus Essex Police
Yahoo
09-05-2025
- Yahoo
Search for Shakedown bikers who 'flouted safety'
A police force has said it recorded about 50 motoring offences during a major motorcycle event. After a three-year break, the Southend Shakedown - which attracts hundreds of bikers - returned to the city in April. Essex Police and the city's council have praised most riders who went to the Easter Monday rally, but the force has appealed for help to trace those spotted acting dangerously. "If these riders act this way when they attend a popular public event, I have grave concerns as to how they behave on the road on a day-to-day basis," said Adam Pipe, head of roads policing. He added: "The overwhelming majority of bikers who took part in the Southend Shakedown did so responsibly – but we cannot ignore those who flouted road safety. "In 2025 alone, we've seen the tragic loss of more than 20 lives [on the roads]. "That number is heartbreaking, and we're determined to do all we can to stop more lives being lost." At the Shakedown, officers spotted 23 illegal, obscured or missing number plates and dealt with one "fail to stop" incident. The force said there were two careless riding incidents, and five riders without insurance. There were four seizures under Section 165 of the Road Traffic Act 1988, as well as one seizure for antisocial driving. Police also dealt with untaxed vehicles, dangerous tyres, invalid MOTs, two minor collisions and criminal damage. After reviewing footage, officers identified 16 additional incidents of dangerous driving. Essex Police said it was hoping to track down those involved and urged anyone with information to contact them. Daniel Cowan, the Labour leader of Southend-on-Sea City Council, said: "We want Shakedown to have a positive future in Southend, and that means keeping everyone safe and setting the right example for the years ahead." He added: "The return of Shakedown was a huge success. "Thousands of people came to Southend, families enjoyed the day, and seafront traders reported a welcome boost in business." Follow Essex news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X. Much-loved biker event makes comeback Bikers delighted with much-loved Shakedown's return Seafront motorcycle rally to return after hiatus Essex Police
BBC News
21-04-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Southend Shakedown makes comeback after hiatus
Thousands of bikers are expected to line the seafront after a popular event that started in the 90s has been resurrected after a three-year Shakedown made its debut at the Essex seaside city's famous pier on Easter Monday 1998 and a range of riders on scooters and more powerful two-wheelers are due from across the Wilsmore, 67, one of the organisers, said it had always been about bringing people together and giving back to the have asked attendees to bring Easter eggs to the free event so they can donate them to food banks. He said giving to charity had been a staple part of the event since the 90s. Mr Wilsmore said: "We want to make the experience of Easter better for those in crisis." Before foodbanks took off in the UK, the organisers used to donate the chocolate to a children's hospice in Southend. After three years of uncertainty about the event's future, a £100,000 cash boost from Southend-on-Sea City Council's budget has funded the rally's Wilsmore is also managing director of the famous Ace Cafe bikers' haunt in north London, which is one of the key organisers for the hoped there would be a big turnout and added: "London loves its days out at the seaside."London will be emptying and visiting the seaside I'm equally sure. It's all fingers crossed; it's all subject to the weather."Speaking as a motorcyclist, we get up in the morning, we look out at the weather and if it's good we think 'yippee'."Mr Wilsmore has been riding since he was 17-years-old and said the attraction was simple: "It's the thrill."He said the event had always been popular, but they had to take a step back due to a lack of funding. Hundreds of bikers staged an unofficial rally on the seafront in 2024 in protest against the event's this year, people can expect "all that is associated with the seaside and a fun day out," the biker said there would be stalls from bike-related groups talking about road safety and different types of biking gear. There would also be a live band and DJ playing from noon until 17:00 Wilsmore said: "Late Roger Glover was instrumental in getting it all started in 1998."It was his constant badgering of me and leading me to the council that put the thing on the map in the first place."Matt Dent, the council's cabinet member for culture, tourism and business, said: "We are proud the city is hosting another weekend of events that residents and visitors to Southend can enjoy. "Shakedown is a much-loved event, we said we'd bring it back – and we have." Parking The council said a section of Marine Parade would be closed to traffic between Three Shells and The access to Hartington Road and Pleasant Road would be maintained for residents, businesses and emergency services. The council has also urged people not to park on pavements, block footways or obstruct emergency access routes. Follow Essex news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
Yahoo
10-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
County council opposes combined authority plan
Essex County Council has told the government it "cannot support the proposal for devolution in Greater Essex in its current form". The local authority supports a major shake-up and reduction in the number of councils in the area. As part of the plans, a mayor would be elected and a combined authority would be set up to make key decisions on issues including transport and housing. Conservative-run Essex County Council says it should have more voting power on this combined authority, compared with councillors from neighbouring Southend and Thurrock. Under this plan, Essex would have three voting members on the combined authority, whilst Southend and Thurrock would both have two. The Labour leaders of Southend and Thurrock support the proposed setup. The county council argues that it represents 80% of the population of Essex and should have at least 50% of the votes. Essex leader Kevin Bentley told Local Government Minister Jim McMahon it would "ensure fairer representation". He proposed there should be two voting members from Essex, and one each from Southend and Thurrock, with the mayor potentially having the deciding vote. Daniel Cowan, Labour leader of Southend-on-Sea City Council, told the BBC: "Southend has been clear we wouldn't accept anything other than what has been proposed. "We think it is fair and balanced and it sets us up in the right way for local government reform." The existing council structure in Essex is set for radical change with plans for the current 15 councils to become between three and five all-purpose unitary authorities. A timetable for reforming local government in Essex has been set out: Elections for a Greater Essex mayor on 7 May 2026 Elections for the new-look Essex councils in May 2027 The new councils would replace the existing ones in 2028 The mayor would be directly elected, which means the population will choose their preferred candidate. John Kent, Labour leader of Thurrock Council, said devolution "gives us the opportunity to grow the Essex economy and we cannot afford little wrangles like the niceties of voting numbers to scupper that". Cowan added: "We have all worked together collegiately to get to this point so far. "It's now disappointing that the county council doesn't believe we can continue in that vein." Members of the public and institutions can comment on the devolution proposals until this Sunday. The government in Westminster will have the final say. Follow Essex news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X. Essex leaders want cut-down model of five councils Council shake-up sees elections delayed in nine areas Could three Essex councils become one? Essex County Council English Devolution White Paper
