Thurrock Independent News

We are delighted to announce a new arrival - the 81st edition of the Thurrock Independent coming off the press today. Copies will be back in the borough the afternoon and widely available. Nice to be back !!

ANOTHER busy Sunday morning for the Grays Beachcombers, clearing up rubbish and plastic on the Thames shoreline.

AS East Thurrock United head to Oxford this evening, here’s a flashback to the skills shown by Sam Higgins who so nearly scored the goal of this or any other season against Chelmsford on Saturday. His goal in the game wasn’t bad either!

The maritime world paid its tribute by the Thames to the fallen at this evening’s memorial service at Tilbury’s London Cruise Terminal. Borough Mayor Cllr Barbara Rice was among those who laid wreaths at the service organised by the Port of Tilbury and Port of London Authority in association with the London Tilbury Seafarers Association.

Excerpts from this evening’s event at Coalhouse Fort when the borough community came together to round off a day of commemoration. From Sue Yates's appreciation of a community effort to primary school children reading their poetry and young musicians leading a parade the evening encapsulated what community spirit is all about.

RESIDENTS in Chafford Hundred turned up in numbers to support the annual Remembrance Sunday afternoon service in Kershaw Close, named after an American Second World War pilot, 2ns Lt Samuel Kershaw, who crashed and died on the site while serving with the 55th Fighters Group of the US Army Air Force. The remembrance service was attended by dignitaries including Mayor Cllr Barbara Rice, MP Jackie Doyle-Price, ward councillor Abbie Akinbohun and several other Thurrock councillors. A parade was led by 106 Orsett Air Cadets and included many pupils from Warren Primary School and local scour and youth groups. The service, which featured music from Spectrum Brass, was taken by the Rev Charlie Kosla.

A large crowd at Grays watched Civic dignitaries including Mayor Cllr Barbara Rice and Thurrock MP Jackie Doyle-Price lay wreaths. Much if the service took place in sunshine but as the parade marched off at the end the heavens opened.

Close to 100 people were in attendance at the first of many commemorations in the borough today (Sunday, 11 November) at the Little Thurrock memorial. Rev Christine Williams led a short service of prayer and tribute while Rod Oakley of the RBL read the names of the dead from the community. Ward councillors Tom Kelly and Rob Gledhill were among those who laid wreaths.

Youngsters in Corringham have been commemorating the 100th anniversary of the First World War. At Arthur Bugler School Mayor Cllr Barbara Rice, education portfolio holder Cllr James Halden and local vicar Rev John Guest joined pupils in costumes of the era at a special afternoon tea. Other schools, including Corringham Primary were out and about with town Forum members decorating planters with poppies and memorabilia.

Thurrock is certainly gearing up to make the 100th anniversary of the end of the First World War special. Here are just some of the tributes and people involved. Please send us details of your event and pictures of your tributes to [email protected].

VOLUNTEERS are being sought to help keep the popular open days at Coalhouse Fort running. The fort, on the banks of the River Thames close to East Tilbury village, was built between 1861 and 1874 – partly under the direction of General Gordon (of Khartoum) – and was one of a number of forts built to fortify the Thames estuary. It stands within a parkland setting and features a number of World War II gunnery posts. It is a popular attraction for families and houses a number of military collections, as well as tea rooms and it plays host to reconstructions. Visit https://www.thurrockindependent.com/2018/09/26/volunteers-sought-to-help-out-at-fort/ for the full story.

TRIBUTE was paid to the heroes of the Battle of Britain at a service led by Maureen McPherson, Methodist local preacher and Air Training Corps Padre, in Grays on Sunday morning. Wreaths were laid by a number of dignitaries including borough mayor Cllr Barbara Rice and East Thurrock and South Basildon MP Stephen Metcalfe, who was also representing his colleague, Thurrock MP Jackie Doyle Price. Among other guests were HM Deputy Lord Lieutenant of Essex Vincent Thompson and the former Lord Lieutenant, Lord Petre. Air Training Cadets from 106 (Orsett Hundred), 1582 (Stanford-le-Hope), 2243 (Basildon) and 1476 (Rayleigh) squadrons attended as did sea cadets from RN Training Ship Dragon. A number of air cadets read poems and gave a reading from the bible. The exhortation was read by Wings Appeal co-ordinator Eddie Coull and Jim Gooding, chairman of Thurrock RAFA, who hosted the event, was among those who laid a wreath. Other wreaths were laid by representatives of the Royal British Legion, Far East Veterans Association, National Service Veterans Alliance, Merchant Navy Association and St John Ambulance. Representatives of Essex Police and Essex Fire and Rescue were due to attend but failed to show up. Thurrock Council’s traffic enforcement officers were out in force though, with three patrolling the roads around High Street and with military precision appropriate to the day issued a significant number of tickets in the Orsett Road area, though perhaps not so appropriately they included three elderly veterans among their haul. Music was provided by Grays Town Band. After the service a reception was held at the RAFA Club on Southend Road, Grays.

There were some tough questions and some hard words for Police Commissioner Roger Hirst and his senior officers on their visit to Thurrock this evening as this clip shows.

POLICE officers were still active on Sunday morning following a disturbance in the Leighton Gardens and Melba Gardens area of Tilbury last night (Saturday, 8 September). During the incident, to which police were called just before midnight, one man received a number of stab wounds, none of which are believed to be life threatening. Detective Inspector Eileen Mullins said: “At this stage, this is suspected to be a targeted attack and my team of officers are working hard to establish the circumstances. “The victim is in hospital where he is being safeguarded. “The scene of the incident is quite large and we will try to get things back to normal soon, however it is crucial that we are able to capture as much evidence as possible.” Anyone who witnessed the events is asked to contact Grays CID on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

A memorable evening for the Stanford, Corringham and Tilbury Community as they received the Queen’s Award For Voluntary Service.