There is a local weather station operated from Chelmsford by professional meteorologists which is updated twice a day. To check it out and see what weather to expect in the Leigh area go to www.essexweather.com Look under Forecasts -Southend-on-Sea

FORTHCOMING THEATRE VISITS

Cliffs Pavilion

To check out what is showing at our local Cliffs Pavilion go to www.thecliffspavilion.co.uk

ODEON CINEMA SOUTHEND - What's On?

To find out what is showing in the forthcoming week at the Odeon Cinemas in Southend use our link Southend Odeon - Whats On?Southend www.odeon.co.uk/fanatic/film_times/s128

ORDER AMAZON GOODS AND HELP THE HOMELESS

THANK YOU FOR ALL WHO ARE ALREADY USING THIS LINK. IN THE LAST 9 MONTHS WE HAVE RAISED JUST UNDER £100, ALL OF WHICH HAS BEEN PASSED ON TO H.A.R.P. By making your Amazon orders through this site you are enabling us to support H.A.R.P (Homeless Action Resource Project) at no cost to you. For each purchase made, Amazon will give us a small percentage for this charity but the price to you is exactly the same. Please help make life a little easier for those who are homeless in Southend. For further information please CLICK HERE: amazon homeless link

Thank you for your photos

Share your pictures of Leigh

We are always pleased to receive new photos of Leigh to publish on our website. These were sent in by someone who visited for the day and enjoyed it so much they shared some of their memories of a happy occasion. If you have some good quality photos you would like shown go to our 'Message Us' box and e mail them. We will do our best to show them from time to time

SHIPPING MOVEMENTS OFF SOUTHEND

Have you ever looked out across the Estuary and wondered what the ships you are looking at are carrying or what they are being used for? If so there is a great link which shows details of all the larger shipping movements. You can also expand this out to the whole of the UK. Try this link to find out more: www.shipais.com/currentmap.php?map=Southend

DO YOU HAVE SOMEWHERE TO LET?

We occasionally receive requests about short term holiday lets.If you let your property out on a short term basis or are interested in doing so please e mail peter@leigh-on-sea.com and we will pass your details on. We are also expecting some requests for the Olympic dates

FUNKY VOICES

Want to sing? Then why not join the 'Funky Voices' choir. Aged from16-80 the choir is made up of people who just want to sing or who are also looking for a social aspect. In all there are 600 members through Essex & Suffolk. A new branch is starting up in Leigh and you are invited to join. For more information go to our 'Whats On' section or contact Sandra Colston (Director) www.funkyvoices.co.uk or e mail sandra@funkyvoices.co.uk Admin 07834 765473

Dunkirk's Forgotten Heroes

Lulu Alexandra knew her grandfather shouldered a huge burden of guilt about the deaths of his brother and cousin during the Second World War. She knew, too, of the memorial in her home town in coastal Essex that commemorates the bravery of its fishermen during the evacuation of Dunkirk. But she had never pieced together the story of heroism and tragedy connecting the two: ‘I knew my grandfather George felt he should have died with his brother and cousin and I remember being shown the monument bearing their names. ‘But I was blasé about the sacrifice our forebears made. And grandad belonged to the stiff-upper-lip generation; he didn’t talk about his brother’s courage. So when he died six years ago in his 90s, I knew only the sketchiest of details about the part our family played in one of the most significant military operations of the war.’ Evacuation: Soldiers scramble aboard a little ship during the Dunkirk evacuation History, of course, records the miracle of Dunkirk and the monumental bravery of the men who crewed the ‘Little Ships’ – a ramshackle flotilla of 693 private fishing boats, pleasure craft and merchant vessels – that sailed from Ramsgate to the French coast knowing nothing of the horrors that awaited them. There, between 26 May and 4 June, 1940, as Hitler’s bombs rained down on them, they rescued more than 338,000 British soldiers trapped on the beaches by the advancing German army. They had hoped to save 45,000 men: by any reckoning, Dunkirk was a triumph. And for each of the doughty little ships that made the Channel crossing there is a story – and that of Lulu’s great-uncle Lukie and his close cousin Frankie is one of the most heart-rending. It is told in a new TV series, Find My Past, on the digital channel Yesterday. Presented by Chris Hollins, the series explores how ordinary people are connected to major historical events. Lulu, 30, an actress and ice dancer, is the daughter of a cockler from Leigh-on-Sea, Trevor Osborne, who took over the family fishing business when his father George retired. What Lulu learned about her relatives, who died so heroically, helped to explain the weight of grief and quiet pride her grandfather always bore. The Osborne family’s story begins in May 1940 when Vice Admiral Bertram Ramsay put out a call to all Britons who owned a boat, however small, to help the British Navy in an audacious evacuation. Hitler’s army had driven the British Expeditionary Force across Western Europe in a pincer movement, forcing them on to the beaches of Dunkirk where they were trapped, without food or water, and under daily assault from enemy Stuka bombers. The British Navy’s hulking destroyers were too big to land in shallow waters, so this is where the armada of little ships came in. Their job was to ferry soldiers from the beaches to the Navy vessels, then on their final journey load up with as many men as they could fit, sardine-like, and sail home to the sanctuary of Dover Harbour. Lukie, Frankie and George Osborne, all vigorous fishermen in their 20s, owned a small wooden cockle boat, The Renown, which had an engine and sails. They answered the call from Vice Admiral Ramsay and prepared to cross the Channel. But just before they were due to set sail, George had an accident, falling heavily and injuring his head so badly his doctor pronounced him unfit to sail. Lulu Alexandra's ancestors never made it back to Leigh-On-Sea after saving hundreds of soldiers But he waved his brother and cousin off on the sunny morning of 26 May when the sea was, mercifully, calm. Lulu, with the help of the Association of Dunkirk Little Ships, retraced her great-uncle’s journey in The Endeavour, which left Leigh-on-Sea with The Renown in 1940 and is still afloat today. She says: ‘I watched as the pretty harbour with its cockle sheds and seafood stalls receded from view and imagined my grandad waving from shore. It was eerie and sad to think that would have been the last he saw of Lukie and Frankie.’ Chris Hollins adds: ‘What struck me was how defenceless those little boats were, navigating a channel bristling with mines, and being shelled and bombed by the Germans. These brave young lads in their fishing boats were hopelessly vulnerable, but the amateurishness of the operation made it all the more heroic.’ With the help of a genealogist, historians, and veterans, Lulu discovered what happened to her relatives. ‘They crossed to Dunkirk in their little boat and the scenes that met them were horrific. The soldiers’ water source had been bombed and they were trapped on the beaches as bombs rained down. Men watched helplessly as their comrades’ limbs were blown off and they died around them. Lukie and Frankie crammed their boat with men and ferried them to a Navy destroyer.’ DUNKIRK IN NUMBERS 6Royal Navy destroyers were sunk during the rescue operation. A further 19 were damaged 65,000Allied military vehicles were left behind on the beaches, along with 20,000 motorcycles 4,822Sorties were flown by the RAF in defence of the evacuation, during which 177 aircraft were lost 240Luftwaffe aircraft were shot down by the Allies The Renown would have repeated the journey many times before loading up with its last cargo of 250 soldiers, jammed in its hold and on its deck, to travel to Dover. The troops were, it emerged, safely delivered. Lulu discovered that the brave cocklers of The Renown accomplished their mission. She had not known this; neither had she a clue about what ensued. On the short journey home from Dover to Leigh-on-Sea, The Renown developed steering problems. Ahead of them, The Letitia – another of the port’s cockle boats – had engine trouble and a tug was towing her. Lulu’s uncle hollered for help. ‘The Letitia fastened a tow rope to its stern so it could pull The Renown,’ says Lulu. ‘So there were two boats behind the tug. Then, 45 minutes later, at 1.50am, Arthur Dench, the skipper of The Letitia, recorded in his log that he heard an almighty explosion. A hail of woodensplinters rained down on the deck of his boat. In the pitch black he could see nothing, but he pulled on the tow rope and it unravelled in his hand. ‘The Renown had simply evaporated. The tug hit a German mine and there was a time delay on it. The Letitia got over it safely, but The Renown was blown to smithereens. Nothing of the boat was left and the bodies of Frankie and Lukie were never found. They died tragically and heroically, but what none of our family had known before is how they lost their lives. Now we know they had accomplished their mission. They saved several hundred lives and they perished on the home straight. ‘Learning about their sacrifice and the fact they died so close to home was devastating and humbling. It opened my eyes to the extent of their bravery. It made me realise how much we owe to all those who fought for us in the war. And it made me very proud of the cocklers of Leigh-on-Sea who sailed to Dunkirk.’ Find My Past starts Thursday 20 October at 9pm on digital channel Yesterday.

Stunning pictures of Leigh

Stephen Matthews together with his girlfriend happened to stumble across the Leigh Folk Festival by chance. He has written to say how much they enjoyed their experience and how cool he found a lot of the people. He has been kind enough to send a sample of the stunning pictures he took. If you want more information contact us here at the website

The Bembridge now restored

The Bembridge, once the floating HQ of the Essex Yacht Club and moored off the towpath from Leigh to Chalkwell is undergoing the final touches of her restoration. The Bembridge which took part in the rescue of Allied soldiers from Dunkirk in 1940 and helped them back for the 1944 invasion had faced a sad ending in a breakers yard after being sold in 2004. However, it was rescued by the Polish Shipping Company Magemar and is now fitted out with original and period fixtures and fittings before it is used as a sea worthy floating office and museum. To see pictures of the restored vessel go to www.go360.pl/bembridge/

GIRL PAT

GIRL PAT, Historic Craft of Leigh on Sea 25ft Leigh Shrimper Built at Johnson and Jagos yard Leigh in the 1920’s Girl Pat has been an active part of the fishing and maritime community of Leigh on Sea ever since. She didn’t make it to Dunkirk, she was considered too small, but her owner did, but unfortunately he was killed when the hospital ship he was on was destroyed by enemy action. Her current owner rescued her from a potential watery grave and has restored her so that she is now in a fine condition and is as pretty as a picture. She is however for sale and could be lost to the town forever.

A team of enthusiasts has got together to ensure that this important part of our heritage will not be lost. Moorings have been offered in Old Leigh and Benfleet Creek, a team has undertaken to look after and maintain her on behalf of Leigh and with your help she can be purchased and saved for the town. The future of Girl Pat. Our intentions are:- • To display the boat afloat in Old Leigh • To use the boat from time to time as she should be used • To take the boat to historic boat shows and rallies • To participate in the Leigh Fishing Festival and other events. We need 20 sponsors for £150 in order to raise £3,000. • The £150 could be a personal or business donation • They could raise £150 ( or more) from other interested people who may wish to make a smaller donation. • Sponsors would be acknowledged on all printed/advertising/press release etc. information (if they wish). • Sponsors if suitably qualified or able, would be able to sail Girl Pat from time to time and take part in any event Girl Pat attends. If you able to help or sponsor please contact girl-pat@hotmail.co.uk

SLIMMING WORLD IN LEIGH

You will be very welcome to attend the Slimming World Group. It is every Wednesday evening at 7.30pm in the The Salvation Army Day Care Centre Glendale Gardens Leigh-on-Sea SS9 2AR For more information, contact Sandy: Home: 01702 333265 Mobile: 07803 709402 Look forward to seeing you there

10 ANAGRAMS ABOUT LEIGH

HAVE A BIT OF FUN - Solve these 10 anagrams which all have a link with Leigh: 1. Tolerates Wind 2. Handler ghetto 3. Blocked her toilet 4. Renovated hue 5. Clench Mums stretch 6. Gone he sail 7. Check doth eels 8. Choose well sights 9. Welsh enjoy 10. Large For the answers go to the What's On section - Coming up box. If you have enjoyed this send us an e mail and we will print some more. Go to the Visitor Information box and select 'Message Us'

NOT A LOT OF PEOPLE KNOW THIS

Leigh is blessed with a huge amount of artisitic talent. None less than artist John Wonnacott www.johnwonnacottgallery.com who 11 years ago was commissioned by the National Portrait Gallery to paint a group picture of the Royal Family to celebrate the late Queen Mother's 100th birthday. The finished article now hangs in the National Portrait Gallery in London. Take a look at John's site to see examples of his work

NOR THIS

Another brillaint Leigh artist is Paul Karslake. Paul FRSA (born in 1958) is an artist, primarily a painter. In the early 1970s Paul was tutored by Sir Peter Scott; towards the end of that decade he met Salvador Dali during a trip to Spain. Karslake then spent four years in California, working for the LA Art Studios, CBS Television and Disney, with whom he later collaborated on the EuroDisney project. Paul has had numerous solo exhibitions, has won several awards. Paul has been a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts since 1990. The Karslake Centre, a centre for arts education, was opened at the Cornelius Vermuyden School and Arts College on 15 September 2005. Take a look at Paul's fabulous work on www.paulkarslake.co.uk

THIS IS LEIGH'S MOST POPULAR WEBSITE

Welcome to our website and join many others who use it to find out whats going on in and around Leigh. The site often has as many as 1,000 visitors in a week so if you have anything you want to share just drop us an e mail. Message us using the Visitors Information drop down box

LEIGH PROMOTIONS

If you have a local business and want to let the people of Leigh know about any special offers or promotions just e mail us and tell us so we can pass it on. It maybe you have a special sale, are taking part in the Leigh Art Trail or are doing a special promotion. It may be that you just want to tell people what you do and that you are here in Leigh. Go to the Visitors Information drop down heading and message us You might want to try a day out and let someone else take the strain of driving. If so try this site www.cookscoaches.co.uk

The Estuary Gallery

Ian James has moved his Estuary gallery to 73 Rectory Grove where you can view his fabulous pictures of our beautiful Leigh. Do support Ian together with our local traders by looking at what our local shops have to offer. Why not drop into Ian's gallery or take a look on his websitewww.ianjphoto.ndirect.co.uk We want to hear of more things that are going on in and around Leigh so please message us by going into our Visitors Information drop down box. Leigh has a plethora of artists including musicians with many different venues. Recently opened is the Ten Green Bottles restaurant in the alley opposite the Post Office where on a Thursday night at 9pm they have an open mic evening. There is also music on Saturdays. Other venues offering live music include the Carlton, The Peter Boat, The Smack and the Ship. This is such a great place to live so why not start the New Year by looking in on some of these music treats. They are sure to lift your spirits as we move into the New Year

We want to hear from YOU!

This is your community website. Please let us know if there anything you would like to see included. It might be an event, an organisation or a new heading or category. Just e mail us by going to the visitor drop down box and use the 'Message Us' box. We have 1,000's of hits each month & want the site to be representative of your needs. So why not contact us now?

Leigh-on-Sea Oracle

Did you get your free copy of the excellent Leigh-on-Sea Oracle magazine? If not, you can now view it here by clicking onto the following linkwww.oraclepublications.co.uk/downloads/LO.pdf

CALLING LEIGH MUMS

We are making a section for Leigh Mums under our Help & Advice section. If you know of or are organising any events, clubs or activities for young Mums that you would like advertised on this site please e mail at pete@leigh-on-sea.com

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SELL YOUR HOUSE HERE

You could save yourself a lot of money by selling your house on our website. Just e mail us up to 3 photos and we will advertise your property for as long as it takes to sell it. The cost is a mere £100. All you need do is send us up to 3 photos together with a full specification of the property. Please include contact numbers and details. Use our 'Message Us' box under visitor information to send us all the relevant details and we will liaise with you about payment and arrangements. You might like to know that we get up to 1,000 a week visiting our site