Take a look at some of the HLF-supported projects going on in the borough now.

Southend Carnival

A National Lottery grant has enabled Southend Carnival to record and share its 111 year history as part of this year’s event, which takes place today.

The procession has been held on the town’s seafront annually since 1906 and, with the help of £9,300 from HLF, seven new procession entries tell the story of the borough, from Victorian beach huts and bathers to a replica of the 1950s pier on fire!

The project will also create a lasting archive of documents, photos and memories to be displayed at Southend Central Museum.

The Influence of Jazz

The Jazz Centre UK (JCUK) was awarded £62,800 to explore the heritage of jazz music. Southend has a long history of jazz venues and has attracted dozens of international performers including Duke Ellington, Count Basie, Ella Fitzgerald, Louis Armstrong and Sir John Dankworth.

The JCUK is working with an intergenerational group, including volunteers from the University of the Third Age, local musicians and schools.

They will create workshops to let people have a go at improvising for themselves, learn new skills in exhibition creation and hold jazz concerts demonstrating the link between live performance and heritage.

Shoebury Then & Now

Shoebury Then & Now will engage students and older people in sheltered housing to explore the heritage of ‘Shoeburyness’, thanks to a £10,000 National Lottery grant.

Southend ATF YAFC are running weekly sessions linking five sheltered housing schemes with groups of young people to record the experiences of people who’ve lived in the area. A number of the older participants were evacuees, or had parents who served in the garrison.

After exploring Shoebury’s history, the young people will create artworks and a film representing their local heritage.

Do you have an idea?

If you have an idea for heritage project in Southend, do get in touch with our East of England team.