The Olympic flame has visited Southend! Did you manage to see it?
Here are some pictures from along City Beach. The 2,000 strong choir (with 1,700 children from lots of local schools) were really impressive, performing the anthem written especially for the occasion.
The Torch will leave Southend seafront (City Beach) at around 12:40pm and work its way along the seafront, up Chalkwell Avenue and then enter head west along the London Road, along the length of Blenheim Park’s boundary. There will be plenty of opportunities to see it all the way along the London Road.
Lots more details here: http://www.southend.gov.uk/info/200155/london_2012_olympics
At the top of the High Street (Victoria Circus) I was pleased to see a big crowd gathering to join in the celebrations of Armed Forces Day. There were veterans from WWII there right through to young cadets.
At 11am there was an “open air” service, which lasted for 30-40 minutes, that 100s of people gathered to take part in.
A slightly different and more upbeat service to that of Remembrance Day, looking forward as well as reflecting back. Plenty of stalls down the High Street as well, for the different veteran organisations.
I was pleased to be your Blenheim Park representative.
A life-size replica of Stonehenge is coming to Southend for one day only!
Priory Park 10:30-6pm Wednesday 4th July.
1. They don’t put barriers up round it, so you can walk up to it
2. They actively encourage you to go on it – because it is one giant bouncy castle!
All the pictures on the site look like children on there… do you reckon they let councillors on there? It looks like good fun to me. I might have to wear my left over Prince William mask from the Jubilee celebrations – no-one will notice me then!
I attended the Southend Carnival event on Saturday, along the seafront.
The carnival was moved this year, due to the Olympics and to allow there to be a whole-day bonanza!
There was a “half-time” show along at City Beach and here are a few pictures from the procession:
Mark Flewitt (councillor for St Laurence ward) and I haven’t forgotten about Kent Elms.
I am pleased to report that the council are undertaking surveys on the 28th and 30th June, of pedestrian and traffic usage, to help with development of future schemes.
We will continue to press the council whenever possible to ensure that, as soon as appropriate funding is available, we get a solution to this 1960s problem!
Since taking (political) responsibility for the Children and Learning directorate on the council I have had the opportunity to see so much of what the council does that really matters, to children of all walks of life – from those who are the most venerable where the state, sadly, needs to take control, to the most successful children – not always the most academically advanced or obtaining the best qualifications, but those who are successful given their ability and circumstance.
I was pleased to be invited to South East Essex College’s “Celebrating Success” last week, where I saw a few of their 8,000 students being rewarded for hard work, achievement and sheer grit and determination. Well done to all!
I’ve realised it has been a little while since I’ve updated this site again. It was an active Diamond Jubilee – my thanks to my two fellow ward councillors for presenting every primary school child with a special commemorative medal, most of which were presented whilst I was on holiday the week before the bank holiday weekend. Although I will be presenting the last few medals next week hopefully!
On Monday 4th June I attended the Leigh Beacon lighting where there was a BBQ, bouncy castle, musical celebrations of various types before the beacon was lit. A good evening was had by all I believe – and I do hope the Church Wardens have let the Rector come back, as he must have been sent to Northern Scotland before they let anyone know they were going to put a flame on top of his church (some parts of which are over 600 years old!)
On the Tuesday Bank Holiday I attended the Diamond Jubilee Cricket Festival… unfortunately the weather wasn’t great, but it was great to see the Unicorns enjoying themselves at Southend and I hope they return in the not to distant future to play more cricket at our Garon Park ground.
Well I have a namesake somewhere.
When I typed my website address in incorrectly to update it today (it’s something when you forget your own web address!) I found another James Courtenay. He is a much better photograph than me… although he probably uses something better than an iPhone 4 that has been dropped (and is cracked) more times than care to remember.
The subject of his photograph didn’t make me pause on the site for slightly longer than was necessary, honest!
If you are any good at rugby (or at least better than me – not hard!) and want to get involved with a team:
See here for trial opportunities
Or if you fancy trying Kayaking or Sailing contact me: cllrcourtenay@southend.gov.uk for accessing a free session through Active Southend and Positive Futures on 15th and 29th July! (over 16’s only I’m afraid)
