Southend Timeline

An MP is Born - James Dudderidge, born on 26th August 1971, and married Kathryn (Katy) Thompson in May 2004 in St Albans.  They live in Southend-on-Sea; with their sons Tom and Henry, and their two cats. He is a keen supporter of Southend United.  He was elected to the seat of Rochford and Southend East in 2005, after Sir Teddy Taylor stepped down.

Beverley's Final Flight - One of Southend Aircraft Museum's latest acquisitions flew into the airport on 8th October 1971.  This Blackburn Beverley a magnificent aircraft would become the jewel in the crown for the collection, but the final flight for this old bird was a sight not to be missed. When the museum finally packed up, the Beverley was this time the last to leave, broken up for scrap.

Sci-Fi Writer Born - Jonathan Clements born in Leigh-on-Sea on 9th July 1971 and brought up in Prittlewell, is a prolific writer of sci-fi and much more besides.  In 2005 he scribed a Dr Who story that brought him back to his roots, in South Essex.

New Hotel - The northern edges of Southend saw the opening of a new hotel, the Essex County Hotel in Aviation Way threw open its doors.  Modelled on a motel with external chalets as rooms, but inside the main building high calibre functions suites and restaurants.

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Civic Fountain Erected - Some people could say Southend is lacking public art, but in 1971 finally completed in 1972, an unusual fountain was erected within the Civic area of Victoria Avenue.  Designed by sculptor William Mitchell and executed in black concrete and glass fibre to the cost arounf £8,500 the piece depicts the borough's coat of arms.  At the time much debate was had about misues of public funds but today it stands proud if nothing else symbolising the end of this massive new Civic build.

Army Farewell - July 1971 saw 36 Regiment leave Shoeburyness for the last time, the Regiment was the very last Gunner Unit at Horseshoe Barracks.

Southend Hospital Expands - Tower block opened by HRH Princess Anne. Children’s Centre opened

Municipal College Meet's its End - Some loved this old building that had sat in it's central Victoria Circus position since 1902.

 With the advances and demands of education in the town new larger buildings were needed, and the schools were moving to the outskirts.  The bulldozer went in and took away this magnificent establishment in 1971.  In it's place today sits the Odeon cinema.

Decimalisation - Carnival this year took advantage of the change in  UK coinage to prompt revellers to throw there old coins into the carnival buckets.

Panto Time - 1972 season at the Palace Theatre would see the return of Mother Goose, with Leigh singer Suzanne Heath.  Meanwhile, over at the Cliffs Pavilion panto time was taken over by Cinderella.