Oracle has teamed up with The Stylistics to give one lucky reader the chance to win a pair of tickets to see the legendary soul group live at Southend Cliffs Pavilion on Sunday 22 November 2026.

The campaign to protect Southend’s Green Belt has forced a pause on the draft Local Plan. After a contentious planning application was rejected, community pressure and cross-party support continue the fight to safeguard this vital green space.

A significant bitumen spill in the River Thames at Gravesend resulted in sticky black tar deposits on beaches from Canvey to Clacton, highlighting issues of pollution travel, transparency, and calls for independent water testing.

Oracle celebrates 21 years of bringing the community together this month. Inside, we look at the ongoing Green Belt debate, hear from local residents and councillors, cover proposed changes to policing in Essex, and give readers the chance to win tickets to see The Stylistics at Southend’s Cliffs Pavilion.

A Southend family faced an 11-month wait for a dementia care reassessment, during which care needs increased significantly but funding did not keep pace, exposing serious issues with unpaid carers and a failing support system.

The article explores how new government planning reforms could impact South East Essex’s Green Belt, stressing sustainable development, infrastructure pressures, prioritising brownfield sites, and addressing traveller accommodation needs.

Southend’s rugby community thrives on respect and rivalry, with clubs like Westcliff fostering youth development and inclusivity. Discover how the sport’s spirit extends beyond the pitch through local events and visits by rugby legends.