About Us
Chairman, Secretary, Treasurer and committee members are elected at the Annual General Meeting held in the last week of November. Each committee member is assigned a specific area of the Garrison, as shown on the Contact Us page. You can contact a committee member with responsibility for your area, or any of the officers with issues you want to bring to the attention of the Association.
You can help
If you are a resident of Shoebury Garrison then you can help by either joining the GRA or just joining our Facebook group and staying in touch. Find out more how you can help.
Who are The GRA?
The Garrison Residents Association is made up of local residents. We are always on the lookout for other residers of the Garrison to join us and help out. Please find out more here. The people behind the Garrison Residents Association include:
Pamela Deakin
Originally from Cheshire, I have lived in the Southend area for almost 40 years, mostly in Thorpe Bay moving to the Garrison 9 years ago. Iworked at St. Thomas More High School for Boys for 22 years in various administrative posts, finally as School Bursar. We were attracted to the Garrison by it's heritage, positioning and open spaces. I feel that it is important to work as a community to build on it's unique qualities .
Geographical area which I represent: The Pavilions and Magazine Road area.
Phil Coombe
My Wife Linda and I are relative newcomers to the Garrisons having moved to the Horseshoe in November 2013. We visited the Horseshoe and the Garrisons area several times before buying our property; and fell in love with the place. The quietness, location to the beach and share beauty and uniqueness of the area made us feel immediately at home.
I have lived a large part of my life in Southend, growing up in Eastwood before moving to the North East to study at University which followed a decade long stint in London during my 20's. I moved back to Southend 11 years ago, where I met my wife, where we lived in Westcliff up until 2013; before deciding that we needed a bigger place; which was when the Garrisons came calling.
I continue to work in London; commuting from Shoebury to Camden where I work as an Applications Manager for the Associated Press News Agency working in a busy IT department supporting News Planning software globally 24-7. I was very keen right from the start sensing that the Garrisons held a unique sense of community often lost in bigger towns; to get involved in the Residents Association in the hope that in some part I can help maintain and preserve what it is that we all love about living here.
Geographical area which I represent: Horseshoe Parade area.
Jonathan Hunnibal
I moved to the Garrison in the Autumn of 2008 after nearly 35 years living in Chalkwell. My partner Tracey and I love the tranquil nature and open spaces of the Garrison, combined with the sensitive restoration of the historic architecture blending old with new. I am a partner and qualified Chartered Surveyor in large multi-disciplinary regional practice and have specialised in asset, property and facilities management now for in excess of the last 15 years. I was keen to get involved with the GRA, to aid and utilise my professional experience for the benefit of all residents, in order to ensure that the Garrison remains a vibrant, successful and unique place for all of the local community to enjoy.
Geographical area which I represent: Ashes Road / Boundary Way
Chris Coomber (Treasurer)
I was a Metropolitan police officer for 30 years and a detective for over 27 years. I served in specialist operations including the “Sweeney”(Flying Squad). I retired as Detective Chief Inspector and subsequently became a school governor and Chairman of a Victim Support Group. I am now a manager with Essex Police. Sue and I moved to the Garrison in 2004 and I am keen to promote its unique features for the benefit of residents and the wider community.
Michael Kennedy - (External Events Liaison)
My wife of almost 50 years Sylvia, and I moved to the Garrison in 2005 and from the beginning encountered many problems which have taken almost as long to overcome. I hope to bring my knowledge and experience of dealing with people to improve not just Outlook, where we live, but to the whole of the Garrison. I am confident that the current Committee are the best there has ever been here, I am impressed with their intent and determination, and believe that they will improve life here for all residents. I look forward to being part of the team. Before retiring, my career was with BBC Television News for over 31 years, from stills photographer to being a Managing Board member of TV News Production Unit.
Daniel Puddick (Webmaster)
I have lived in Shoeburyness all my life and moved to the Garrison in 2009 with my wife Dagmara, first to Boundary Way and then to the Officers’ Mess development in 2012. We expect our daughter will attend Hinguar School where her cousins are already happily enrolled.
It is in our own best interests to look out for the entire Garrison site and can see ourselves living here for many years to come, making full use of the local amenities.
Cliff Marshall
I am managing director of two companies in the clinical and environmental sciences. My wife Sue and I moved to The Garrison in 2012 and realised very quickly that it had an established ‘village’ feel, with friendly people who appreciate the qualities of this unique site. I feel the GRA can assist in the management, safety and security of the site, as well as its social development, through improvements in communication with residents and managing agents. The establishment of a safe and effective road management system and continued protection of the conservation area are other particular interests.
Geographical area which I represent: Danish Camp.
We are urgently seeking proactive residents to join the GRA committee or our special topic Task Groups. if you have expertise or enthusiasm and want to make a difference, please join us.
Please get in touch if you are interested in joining the GRA