Interviews and discussions with local people, charities, organisations and businesses on topics and events for the Southend and Essex area.
Reading the feed…
The presenter and guests discuss the Just Ride Southend inclusive cycling project, its 11-year history, 160 bikes for all ages and abilities, funding needs, and volunteer opportunities, alongside local community initiatives like the Southend Community Cycle Park, churchyard renovations, and upcoming festivals. They also address Southend East Station redevelopment, pavement rubbish issues, HMO regulations, police engagement, and local government reorganisation, including council mergers and the proposed Greater Essex Mayor. Additional topics include waste collection improvements, bin placement
Emma welcomes Dean Chesterman, chairman of Southend Roundtable, to discuss the Big Beach Bang on 1 November 2025 at Shoebury East Beach, featuring a low-noise fireworks display at 6:30pm, a main display at 7:30pm, a funfair with rides and stalls, and food vendors, with tickets at £8.50 (under-3s free) and a kids' firework noise competition for two family tickets.
Stuart Pink interviews Christine about Garen Park’s family fun day tomorrow, featuring a bouncy castle, farm animals including a cow and donkey, barbecue burgers, craft activities like painting rocks and making butterfly feeders, plus sports like football and climbing. Local organisations like the Rotary Club, Cats Protection League, and Southend Library will be present, with live music and activities from 11am to 4pm. Tickets cost £25 on the door or £20 online at garrampark.com.
Kay and Matt from Hamlet Court Road’s Harmony Festival discuss its fourth-year return on 18th May, featuring 50 stalls, diverse performances like The Carmers and Ondines, a procession in traditional dress, and street art demos, highlighting the festival’s role in celebrating local culture and regenerating the area.
Presenters and guests discuss crime reduction efforts in South End, including new police initiatives like Operation Union and Operation Circuit, and the work of Carrie’s Outreach supporting sex workers. They also cover community projects like churchyard renovations, playground upgrades, and anti-fly-tipping measures, alongside local issues such as HMOs, fly-tipping, and council funding delays. Updates include upcoming events like the Kite Festival and SouthJet Day, and updates from councillors on ward improvements and policy changes.
Presenters and guests discuss local policing initiatives like Operation Union and seafront policing, community safety projects such as Operation Safe Space, and housing issues including HMO regulation and the housing crisis in Southend. They also cover local events like the Holi festival and Community 25 Expo, while exploring devolution plans for Essex and their potential impact on local governance and infrastructure. Additionally, they highlight fostering needs, charity work by Welcome to the UK, and updates on Southend East Station redevelopment.
Councillors discuss fly tipping, street drinking, and HMO regulations in Strand House and St Luke’s Ward, while addressing housing shortages and planning enforcement amid the national crisis. Plans to repair the Kursaal and improve Woodgrange Estate’s play area are mentioned but lack timelines. Devolution to a Greater Essex Mayor and potential council mergers spark debate over accountability and local elections.
The presenter and guests discuss the reopening of Lumiere Romford cinema after the closure of Premier Cinema, highlighting its alternative, community-driven model with event-based screenings, membership perks, and co-op profit returns. They detail the cinema’s renovation plans, upcoming Rompford Horror film festival with special guests, and fundraising efforts via Crowdfunder, including donor incentives. Additionally, they touch on staff expertise in film curation, direct film bookings, and the cinema’s role in promoting local film education and environmental initiatives.
Chief Inspector David Browning discusses reducing violence and crime in South End through increased police visibility, high-visibility patrols, and operations like Vinto, while Kemi Pahauko outlines the South End City Vision Consultation, a two-month community engagement drive ending soon, detailing projects like beach cleanups, art trails, and business expos needing volunteers.
Dave Marley hosts the show, discussing local events and chatting with the High Sheriff of Essex about their role, community initiatives like the Southchurch Art Trail, knife crime awareness, volunteer efforts like Rochford River Care, and upcoming engagements with emergency services.
Dave Marley hosts a breakfast show featuring segments on local events and community initiatives, with a focus on the South Church Art Trail running from 14th–24th September 2023, including its launch event with live painting, street entertainers, and the High Sheriff of Essex. Guests Rob McAvoy and local business owners like Andy from Under the Sun and Jenny from Out of the Earth discuss the Art Trail’s logistics, benefits for artists and businesses, and how to get involved. The episode also includes an RNLI volunteer appeal and promotions for Southend City Radio’s services.
A family open day at Rayleigh Weir fire station features demonstrations, emergency vehicles, and a bird-of-prey display, while Essex Fire and Rescue discuss community engagement and fundraising for local charities.
The episode covers Southend’s environmental efforts, including Pat’s Environment Champion award and Project Southchurch’s 1200-year celebration, alongside heritage projects like sensory planters and Braille labels. It also features updates from local councillors on issues like fly-tipping, flooding, and parking, while Southend Food Bank discusses systemic poverty and advocacy. Additionally, the show highlights Southend Airport’s noise monitoring, museum initiatives, and upcoming community events like South Church Day and the Art Trail.
The six parliamentary candidates for Southend and Rochford debated NHS crises, healthcare access, and local regeneration, while also addressing food poverty, SEND support, and housing affordability ahead of the general election. Key discussions included Labour’s pledge to see 40,000 patients weekly, Liberal Democrats’ plan for 8,000 more GPs, and Green Party proposals for NHS restoration and a national SEND funding body. The event, hosted by Project Southchurch, also covered Brexit’s economic impact, youth services, and community safety amid concerns over GP surgery closures and A&E retention.
Rob McAvoy, founder of Project Health Church, discusses the need for a new health centre in the East Quarter of South Church, as well as issues with antisocial behaviour, vandalism, and housing in the area. The conversation also covers concerns over the poor state of local infrastructure, including Southend East Station and the Kursaal building, and upcoming community events, such as the Sudsirka celebrations marking the 1,200th anniversary of the South Church area. Local resident Lily, aged 8, joins the conversation to talk about her involvement in beach cleanups and the importance of environ
The show covers Anglia Water’s £500,000 Marine Parade flood scheme, the Fairmead Avenue trial with water attenuation devices, and the £10m Dynamic Sewer Visualization project to monitor sewer flows in Southend. Guests discuss long-term solutions for Fort Paul Avenue flooding, including a £50m funding bid for rain gardens and treatment works upgrades, alongside community projects like South Church Hall Gardens events and the South Church Art Trail. The episode also features election preparation advice from Avery (Electoral Service Officer), ward updates from Councillors Nelson, Jones, Cowdery,
The presenter discusses Southend’s Greening South End project, including a tree planting initiative and micro orchard project using Essex heritage apple varieties, highlighting environmental benefits, community engagement, and mental health perks. They cover collaborations with Trust Links, Project Southchurch, and local council involvement, plus ways to support the work ahead of a community meeting on 7th March. The host also thanks guests Rob and Joe for their contributions to the conversation.
Stuart Pink chats with Mo from Forget Me Not Caring at the Ironworks in Southend, discussing the organization's work with students with learning disabilities and their regular Tuesday club. Mo shares her personal story of how she became involved with Forget Me Not Caring and highlights the importance of the Ironworks as a community hub. The conversation also features interviews with some of the students who attend the club, who share their favorite activities and trips, and encourage others to join in.
Nicky from Headcuts for Homeless Southend discusses the charity’s origins, its growing need amid rising homelessness, and how free haircuts provide dignity and human connection to those struggling. The conversation covers the challenges of volunteering, the diverse backgrounds of homeless individuals, and how the charity relies on more stylists to meet demand. Details are shared on how to access the service or volunteer.
The presenter interviews Rob McAvoy from Project South Church about the charity’s community initiatives, including addiction support, youth engagement, and events like Frostbite and the South Church Business Expo. They discuss the launch of a 24-hour accessible defibrillator outside The Exchange, funded by local businesses, and the need for more strategically placed defibrillators in the area. The conversation also covers CPR training with St. John’s Ambulance and the importance of quick access to defibrillators during emergencies.
Mo from Forget Me Not Caring discusses the Club Tuesday at Southend’s Ironworks, a safe social space for adults with learning disabilities featuring karaoke and social activities, while sharing how the organisation arranges accessible trips to museums, zoos, and cooking sessions, and explains how to get involved or support their work.
Lee Fundraiser Clark discusses his fundraising achievements, including raising £84,923 this year and his total of £308,487.50 towards his £1 million target, highlighting his Kilimanjaro climb and upcoming challenges like a three-month sponsored silence and a 24-hour charity football match.
The show covers Southend’s first White Ribbon event in years, part of the 16 Days of Activism against violence towards women and girls, featuring guests from Safe Steps and Southend City Council discussing women’s safety initiatives, the White Ribbon campaign’s origins, and local support services like Safe Steps, Trust Links, and Southend Rape Crisis. The event also includes a march at 5:30pm to raise awareness and a pledge for men to support women’s safety.
Nick Silatow from the Billy Rickey Mayflower Rotary Club discusses Biliriki High Street’s Christmas market on 3rd December, featuring a Santa parade, 150 stalls, live music, Punch and Judy, and charity fundraising for local causes. The event includes free parking, food from around the world, and performances by Razmataz Theatre Group, with all proceeds supporting local charities.
The presenter interviews Louisa from Song School about their *Hands Together* project, a collaboration with Project Southchurch where young participants created and recorded the original song *Unity*, later accompanied by a music video filmed across Southend. Weezer Strachan explains how the project evolved from a 2021 initiative into a 2023 youth-focused effort, with thanks given to supporters like the Arts Council, C2C, and MusicNet. Attendees are invited to sign a poster sharing their reaction to the video.
