Author Archives: jamescourtenay

With two days of decent weather, Monday was going to be the quietest of the three day weekend, as the rain had to come at some point. I’m not sure the rain was supposed to arrive quite like this: My … Continue reading →

Good opportunity to do some things around Southend this weekend – and put off writing my next newsletter – so on Saturday morning (rather too early for my liking) I joined the Prittle Brook litter pickers for a couple of … Continue reading →

I’m currently sitting on a C2C train, after a cycle ride in the rain. I’ve definitely decided that I’m going to be a ‘fair weather rider’, given that at present I’m wringing my shirt out and being looked at rather … Continue reading →

I can understand – and sympathise – with residents of Blenheim Park today who will be shocked, angry, but mainly worried and scared by the headlines in today’s Southend Echo. It appears that on Friday morning that a man might … Continue reading →

I’ve been on record about this planning application before (13/01137/OUTM) stating that I don’t want to stifle development, but that I am disappointed, how large a development and not in keeping with the local area, the plans are for this … Continue reading →

Today I decided I needed a new experience,  so having worked in London for two and a half years (and having got the Central Line for the last four months of that) I decided to take my life into my … Continue reading →

I have today been sent the following: Post Office consultation. A summary of the proposal is that it is to redesign the Post Office on Eastwood Boulevard into a ‘Local Post Office’ rather than a ‘Main Post Office’ branch. This … Continue reading →

I won’t attempt to write as eloquently as my former colleague and Leader of the Council Nigel Holdcroft does in his blog about some of the strange goings in the last seven days (and before, given the proclamation given by the … Continue reading →

A mixed result for the Conservatives in Blenheim Park, with the share of the vote remaining roughly the same at 27%, but the Lib Dem vote fell dramatically and UKIP climbing from 16% to 32% when compared to 2012 (the last … Continue reading →