Southend History
Project Supporters
The National Lottery Heritage Fund
Using money raised by the National Lottery, we Inspire, lead and resource the UK’s heritage to create positive and lasting change for people and communities, now and in the future. www.heritagefund.org.uk.
Follow @HeritageFundUK on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram and use #NationalLotteryHeritageFund
Southend-on-Sea Borough Council is the local authority of Southend-on-Sea in Essex. It comprises of 17 different ‘wards’, within each ward there are 3 elected Councillors – meaning a total of 51 Borough Councillors. The current council, led by Councillor Ian Gilbert, is run by a rainbow coalition of Labour, Independent Group and Liberal Democrat councillors.
The Essex Society for Family History is a charity that aims to encourage the public study of British Family History, genealogy, heraldry and local history with particular reference to Essex and to promote the preservation and accessibility of archive material.
The Southend-on-Sea branch of the ESFH, chaired by Fred Feather, has worked with event organisers Blade Education for many years on heritage projects and have provided advice and expertise on the local history of the people of Southend-on-Sea that have been studied by project participants both young and old.
The Royal Artillery Association was started on 26 May 1920 by the RA War Commemoration Fund to create a ‘Gunner Friend’ network organisation in every part of the United Kingdom and Commonwealth; in essence to create and foster a bond of comradeship irrespective of rank, between all who are serving or who have ever served as artillerymen and to maintain and promote the proud traditions of ‘Ubique’. It was also designed to watch and help those in need or distress and maintain contact with old comrades. It raised its money from annual and life subscriptions and after running costs funds were used to further the aims of the Association. Her Majesty The Queen is the Patron. There are a network of branches throughout the country, promoting comradeship and the opportunity for Gunners to meet up and have some fun. The Association also has the needs of Gunners and their families at heart, especially those who have fallen on hard times. There are more than 105 Branches and Ladies' Sections. It is at the very heart of the Gunner family.
The St. Nicholas School, St. Christopher School, Lancaster School and Kingsdown School formed a Multi Academy Trust, the SEN Trust Southend, ( http://sentrustsouthend.co.uk/ ) in 2017 to create a strong group of special schools which aim to meet the majority of needs of those pupils who require greater support in a special education school. SEN Trust Southend works closely with the Local Authority and importantly with parents and carers to meet the needs outlined in the Education Health Care Plans. The four schools retain their own identity and meet the needs of different groups of pupils but work together on training, development, leadership and governance. Each school has its own Headteacher and local Governing Body but there is also an overall Trust Board with Trustees and Members who have overall responsibility for the quality of education across the four schools. The Trust has an Executive Headteacher, Mrs Jackie Mullan, who works part-time in this role.
The RNLI first established a station at Southend in 1879 to assist ships going ashore on the many sandbanks of the Thames Estuary. Southend Lifeboat station is just one of 238 around the coasts of England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland. The RNLI operates a 24 hour a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year all-weather rescue service around the coast and some major rivers. Additionally the RNLI has lifeguards on major tourist beaches during the summer months and maintains a Flood Rescue service for inland areas.
Southend Pier Museum aims to preserve the history of Southend Pier and provide visitors with information on why it was built, how it has changed, its important role during two world wars, survived disasters, and continued to provide pleasure for many generations. The Museum is a registered charity and is run entirely by volunteers and unpaid professionals who enable them to keep this important part of our heritage alive. The Mayor of Southend officially opened the Pier Museum on 8th July 1989, heralding the Pier centenary celebrations.
The Museum is located in the the Old Pier Workshops underneath the train station at the shore end. To locate the Museum entrance, you should go into the Pier Reception and then walk to the right of the railway entrance where it is signposted.
Southend Museum Services is part of the Culture Section of Southend-on-Sea Borough Council. It manages many of the flagship museums and cultural locations within Southend including: The Beecroft Art Gallery, Central Museum, Prittlewell Priory, Southchurch Hall, and Southend Planetarium.
They were involved within the archaeological excavation of the Anglo-Saxon King in Prittlewell, more commonly known as the Prittlewell Princely Burial – with a selection of the artefacts being displayed in Central Museum and available to view using their Burial Chamber App. The Museum Team have also developed two popular interactive walking tours around the town to promote wellbeing in the local community.
The Leigh Society was founded in 1972 to secure the preservation, protection, development, and improvement of features of public architectural and historical interest in the Conservation Areas of Leigh-on-Sea.
The Society led the restoration of the Smithy in the Old Town to form the Leigh Heritage Centre, has been open ever since as a museum of Leigh. Their team of volunteers also help to promote high standards of planning and architecture in the Leigh Conservation Areas whilst securing the preservation of features of both historic and public interest. They also maintain Plumbs Cottage in Old Leigh.
SAVS is a local, independent charity known as a Council for Voluntary Service or CVS.
They work tirelessly behind the scenes to help local charities and community groups achieve their full potential. They do this by: supporting them with training, providing advice and practical help; helping them raise money and spend wisely; keeping them informed about changes in the charity sector; bringing them together to exchange ideas and representing their views to local government, funding bodies and others.
The Jazz Centre UK is the only official central hub for everything jazz in the UK: from music, dance, fashion art and design.
Founded by celebrated local jazz musician, Digby Fairweather, its doors opened in 2016. This hidden gem is situated underneath the Beecroft Art Gallery on Victoria Avenue and their aim is ‘To promote, preserve and celebrate the culture of jazz in all its forms’.
The centre hosts regular live music, jazz workshops, and film showings; and has permanent heritage displays and exhibitions and an extensive collection of original jazz books, vinyl and CD’s.
The Arts Council England are the national development agency for creativity and culture. By 2030 they want England to be a country in which the creativity of each of person is valued and given the chance to flourish and where everyone of has access to a remarkable range of high-quality cultural experiences. Between 2018 and 2022, Arts Council England will invest £1.45 billion of public money from government and an estimated £860 million from the National Lottery to help deliver this vision.