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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.
