June is internationally recognized as Pride Month, or LGBTQ+ Pride Month. This commemorates the Stonewall riots of June 1969 in New York City, when patrons of the Stonewall Inn resisted a police raid. Southend Pride is held annually, usually in July. It entails a parade starting at the Royal Artillery Terrace/Southend Pier area, going through the city centre to Warrior Square Gardens.
Continue readingAuthor Archives: John
Civil unrest intensifies following the Belfast Hadi Alodid attack
Let me begin with an AI assisted synopsis …
Continue readingBishop Patteson of Melanésia
I was recently handed an old book, which contained the biography of Bishop Patteson.
Continue readingWhose Justice? Whose Wisdom? and the cases of George Floyd and Henry Nowak
I have been chomping at the bit for a while to write another political blog and one with a twist. While as a “gospel preaching, community activist, watchman on the wall” I have tried to steer clear of politics, especially party politics, it cannot be avoided and neither should it be because of the division we are now seeing in my beloved country as it edges ever closer to civil war with those in my own Christian constituency who are deeply divided on the matter.
Continue reading“Take my Hand” by John Hymus – a book review
I have just completed reading the auto-biography and assorted reflections by an “old friend” – John Hymus. The full title of the book is “I’m a Stranger in Paradise – TAKE MY HAND”, which is described as a Journey of Faith, Adventure and Self-Discovery (see here for the Publisher’s blurb).
Continue readingSurveying the British political landscape – May 2026
Note: I had intended to write this blog soon after the results of the May 7 English local elections, which resulted in a resounding win for Reform, with Greens doing particularly well and Labour and Conservative doing badly, were known. But with one thing leading to another, I delayed writing it, but I am glad that I can now do so, especially given so much has happened in the meantime. Let me begin with how I began writing this blog nearly two weeks ago …
Continue readingReflections following the latest (May 16, 2026) Unite the Kingdom Rally
I only realised late on that this Tommy Robinson inspired event was going on, but once I had I marked it down as significant given where we are, as a kingdom (the UK), and what I see as an increasing divided kingdom that long ago I recognised as having lost its way.
Continue readingSouthend United Football Club – end of season 2025/26 reflections (Part 2)
I wrote Part 1 of Southend United Football Club – end of season 2025/26 reflections (see here) three weeks ago, realising there were a least two important games left to play.
Continue readingSouthend May 7 2026 Local Elections – the Results
The results are in for yesterday’s Southend Council election. Following my earlier Southend May 7 2026 Local Elections (see here) blog that looked forward to the election, I offer this sequel to go over what happened, and some personal reflections.
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