Southchurch Park Pavilion

We are continuing our focus on the cricket pavilion in Southchurch Park.

It has become an eyesore to the aesthetics of the park.

Our vision is to demolish the building and start again. Repair is not an option it is too far gone. Any repairs will need a constant injection of investment, which would strain any budget in any economic climate.

Any new building must be sympathetic to its surroundings and honest to the history of the pavilion. It must remain for the community.

Our suggestion is simple. Space on the side of the building for changing rooms for local sports clubs, a large central space for displays, exhibitions and local community group use. A focal point showing the history of the pavilion and finally a shallow balcony overlooking the lake.

We continue to explore the possibilities with local councillors and relevant organisations, this unfortunately will take time. Please share your views, click below

Hands Together

Hands Together, Southend Against Hatred. Although this campaign is an original idea by Project Southchurch, we are simply the facilitators, it is without doubt a community working in partnership. We are grateful to be joined, in this banner promotion, by our friends South Essex African Caribbean Association.

Our original idea was to create a piece of street art on hoardings in sight of iconic buildings on Southend seafront. Local students and dignitaries would then be able to sign the hand prints incorporated in the design, created by local artist Karl Sims. We, however, went ahead without the correct agreement and with the landlord reluctant to give retrospective permission we had to paint over the original idea.

It was a setback, but out of adversity comes inspiration. We came upon the idea of putting a similar design onto a banner and inviting organisations, businesses & residents to sign it. It immediately became accessible to a wider audience and far more poignant.

Signing the banners is a symbolic act of defiance to those who wish to divide us through hate and terror, following the murder of Sir David Amess.

To show our strength through unity, that tolerance and diversity runs through the very heart of this city, Southend.

It also spotlights the positive actions of a community together, through the haze of negativity that appears to be the perception of many today.

The banners belong to the City of Southend, to the people whom Sir David championed so tirelessly. This City has so much character, creativity and ambition it’s time we showed others our determination and our togetherness.

The banners made a small tour since the launch on 12th November. Visiting Leigh Markets, Global Community Day, One Love Soup Kitchen, Southend United Youth Programme, St Marks, Get Cape Wear Cape Fly gig at St Marys, FrostBite Festive Market in Southchurch and many more venues.

It has been signed by local faith groups, politicians, residents, organisations, emergency services, dignitaries and many more. The signatories’ illustrates how broad the diversity of Southend is and we should be very proud.

Our gratitude to Southend Borough Council for adopting the idea and helping us deliver a campaign that reaches more people. We are thrilled it will be part of City Week and very much look forward to the art project connected. Local education, faith and community groups will be invited to create banners with their interpretations of tolerance and unity, to be displayed around the City. We are delighted that Focal Point Gallery are the lead on organising this project.

Part of the Hands Together campaign, is to work with local agencies and organisations to identify sites for more Hate incident Reporting Centres (HIRCS) and to train more Hate Crime Ambassadors. We are delighted to work with Essex Police, Southend Council and others in our aspirations to achieve this.

The Hands Together Banner is accompanied by a LightBox, created by 3DFila Print in association with Sam Duckworth and Southend City. Both banner and LightBox are attending City Week events.

All Seven Miles.

Part of the promotion of the Project Southchurch area and in general the East side of Southend is to encourage visitors.

The transformation of our retail areas through our Trade and Social Cohesion Zone and other initititives is an important ingredient.

Working with Southend Tourism Partnership and Visit Southend is vital.

We need to use All Seven Miles of our wonderful coastline. There is a major perception of our city is that it’s just about  theme park & amusement arcades, kiss me quick approach. We are so much more than that.

Home to history, beautiful award winning parks, award winning beaches, walks, water sports, boutique guest houses, quality hotels, fantastic restaurants and much more.

The Project Southchurch area has the only two restaurants actually on the beach. Don’t believe those who want to protect their interest by rubbishing other parts of the City. We’re proud to be part of EastQuarter, we have so much to offer.