After months of discussion, debate and endless meetings in coffee shops in the Southend area, the
all NEW Longpier.com will be launched on Saturday morning (22nd May).
Finally - after four years hard work - the website will transform itself from a "blog" style site
into a professional news, sport and features portal for Southend and surrounding areas.
A man from Southend has been sentenced today (20 May) for the rape of a 21 year old woman from the
south Essex town.
29-year-old student Chishala Bwalya from Norwich Avenue was sentenced to an indeterminate sentence
and must serve a minimum of six years, before applying for parole. He has also been placed on the
sex offender's register and will be deported when he has served his time in prison.
A 17-year-old boy from Southend has been sentenced to four and a half years in custody after
pleading guilty to a variety of offences including attempted robbery and GBH.
His Honour Judge Christopher Mitchell lifted reporting restrictions allowing Ben Watkins of York
Road to be named.
The new Mayor of Southend – Councillor Ann Holland – has revealed the good causes she is
raising funds for whilst in office.
During today's lunchtime launch at Porters (19 May) – the Mayor's official residence in
Southchurch Road – Cllr Holland announced that the Southend Mayor's Charity 2010/11 is supporting
Stroke, Disability and the Arts.
Do you think Southend is one of the best places to take a vacation? Is it a friendly place to be?
Would you consider our resort to be welcoming to visitors - whether they be day trippers or short
stay holidaymakers?
Well a survey out today suggests Southend is the 8th most "holiday friendly" destination in the UK.
Southend United's young striker Harry Crawford has been called up to the Republic of Ireland's
Under 19 squad.
Crawford, who made his debut in March during Southend's 3–0 home win over Walsall, will join the
squad in Ukraine immediately, and will compete in the European Championships elite round
qualification.
Eager cyclists from 16-years-old upwards are being urged to enter a unique and exciting competition
called Urban Pursuit, which starts and finishes in Chalkwell Park.
The event, which runs from 10am until 3pm this Sunday (23rd May), features checkpoint challenges
taking riders from one corner of Southend to the other in a bid to solve riddles and clues.
Numerous bands and revellers have hit out over the organisation of this weekend's SX Festival in
Rochford.
The two day event - held over 15th and 16th May - was meant to feature more than 80 bands over five
stages, but Longpier.com understands that several billed artists didn't turn up, due to what they
called, "poor organisation".
Police are appealing for information in connection with a street robbery in Southend.
The attack happened when a 20-year-old man was walking along Priory Avenue shortly after 12:30am on
Wednesday, May 12. He was accosted by two men who both punched him in the face before stealing his
mobile telephone, a two-figure sum of cash and a bag containing a tracksuit outfit.
Police are looking to identify a man who indecently exposed himself to a woman in Westcliff.
The incident happened when a 39-year-old woman was walking along Inverness Avenue shortly before
8:30am on Friday, May 14. A man passed by and dropped his trousers, exposing his genitals. He then
continued walking towards West Street and entered a property.
Westcliff's annual Art Trail has begun with more venues and artists taking part than ever
before.
36 venues have been chosen including cafes, travel shops and individual's houses. It's free to view
the art on show, with the option to buy prints and paintings direct from the artist. The trail
should take no longer than two hours to complete and runs ffrom 14th until 22nd May.
