Here we go again; banner headlines and flashy front page pictures as Southend Council once again attempts to convince the public its seafront commercial centre masquerading as a Saxon King Museum has a chance of becoming a reality.

Where’s the money coming from? The £35m cost is an inaccurate sum based on a four-year-old estimate. The figure is nearer £50m.

The complex proposed is inappropriate for housing the treasures of King Saebert.

The location is wrong on all counts; visitors to a seaside town want amusements, rides, candy floss and a pint.

What is needed is an inspirational historical experience which would immerse visitors in Saxon times.

The Saxon King in Priory Park campaign (SKIPP) has proposed a culturally sensitive and educationally inspiring alternative.

The concept is bold and at an estimated cost of around £10m, more financially realistic.

The design envisions a Saxon Great Hall museum to house the artefacts, built within Priory Park on the site of an underused works depot a stone’s throw from the burial site.

The museum would be surrounded by a Saxon village, including houses and workshops.

The idea is to create a real feel of Saxon times, the staff would be in Saxon dress, and visitors, especially school parties, would be encouraged to dress up and immerse themselves in the Saxon period.

When restoration of the old Clunic Priory is completed, the addition of the Saxon King experience adjacent to the Priory would elevate Priory Park to the status of a world class heritage attraction.

This would put Southend on the world tourist map, create a real sense of pride and create a constant revenue stream for our town.

So come on Southend Council, stop wasting public money on pipedreams and instead lead the way in creating a unique heritage park that would be the envy of the world.

Patsy Link
Sheena Walker
Mark Sharp
SKIPP committee

...With reference to the report (March 2) concerning the plans for the Cliffs Museum, I have to ask what planet our council leaders are on?

The meals-on-wheels service is virtually doubling the cost of meals for the recipients, sharp end services are being cut and 120 jobs were lost this year.

The council’s borrowings are sky high and growing.

The seafront project is not a museum, it is a collection of not-required facilities and the museum is a small part of the design.

We have buildings that could house the Saxon King’s treasures that could be upgraded as necessary at a very small cost.

Brian Ayling
Ennismore Gardens
Southend