Introduction
YourThurrock.Com is an on-line newspaper covering every aspect of life in the borough.
Thurrock is a rich quarry of news but the borough is also at a fascinating crossroads in it’s history and yourthurrock’s mission is to chronicle the story of Thurrock in the 21st century.
We primarily film the majority of our news but we also print word only stories as well.
Our main aim is to celebrate the good news and the hundreds of activities, groups and initiatives that thrive and survive in Thurrock however we also aim to scrutinise, question and challenge where appropriate. Never naive nor cynical but a balanced healthy scepticism.
The site receives 60,000 views per month with our local viewers looking in but also viewers from USA, Japan, Austrialia, Nepal and dozens of other countries.
We work seven days a week and are always on the look out for stories as well as keen to build up our blogger nation.
YourThurrock won the Spirit of the Festival Award at the Thurrock Drama Festival for its coverage
We have also made the final of the New Company category for the Thurrock Business Awards 2010.
The Team
Michael Casey
Editor and creator of yourthurrock. Born and raised in Harlow, Educated at Stirling and Edinburgh University. Spent eight years in the police, eight years lecturing criminology. Freelance writer for numerous publications over thirty years before coming to Thurrock. Worked at the Thurrock Gazette where a conversation with legendary Editor, Neil Speight motivated him to start yourthurrock.
Indebted to Apple at Lakeside, Pixelwork, Mike Jones and Mrs Casey without whom…..
Contact: yourthurrock@mac.com
Mike Jones
Mike Jones has been involved with film and media work for the last twenty five years. He has also just retired from 32 years service in the Fire Brigade, serving 25 of those years at Grays.
A former presenter at Essex Radio and the pioneering Radio Basildon, these days a film maker and a professional voice over artist, Mike was delighted to join forces with the team on this exciting project.
Mike has two children Ben 12 and Amy 9 and on Saturdays can be found making strange announcements at Dagenham and Redbridge matches .A keen golfer with a fluctuating handicap who can also be spotted on stage at the Thameside Theatre. Mike is the senior cameraman at Yourthurrock and is now adding journalism to his credits although some of his work suffers from the Casey red pen.
Contact: yourthurrock1@googlemail.com
Lucy Chipperfield
Gable Hall, Palmer’s, Sussex Univ (studying Media) have brought Lucy to the world of yourthurrock. Described as the most positive person in the world, Lucy produces films for yourthurrock when not working for the Duke of Edinburgh Awards or riding her bike Bertie.
Sharon-Louise Acres
Off to Greenwich University to study journalism. Sharon will be charting her academic journey
Heidi Goodsell
Greetings from Texas. Heidi lives out in San Antonio now but she used to hail from Lodge Lane. A very busy woman but Heidi still has time to cast her eye on events in the USA and in the UK.
Sharon McGovern.
Read her book Afraid. That is all we will say. Survivor, thriver, community activist and so much more. If you look at the words shrinking violet in the dictionary do not be disappointed if you cannot see a picture of our very own Scouse Queen.
Bill Robinson
“Thanks for spending a little time with me Hakan. Each game, rain or shine, Bill will be at the Thurrock FC games interviewing the enigmatic Hakan Heyrettin. Bill will also be popping up in other stories as well.
Lucy Jordan
Lucy has just returned from Falmouth University with a first in English and Media. Already known in the Stanford area, the radio broadcaster, DJ and writer will be honing her skills with YourThurrock until she goes onto bigger and better things.
Grant W Campbell
Our scottish correspondent. Grant has written for the Times, Daily Record as well as a number of sports magazines.
Myles Cook
Grays-based Myles produces a monthly blog in mental health issues. Writer, poet and social commentator.
Mike Ostler
Well known and much respected historian, Mike presents a monthly series around the borough called “Heritage Matters”
Benny Harris
Former teacher at Aveley Comp, Benny tried his hand at stand up comedy, emigrated to the USA and now plys his trade in Hollywood. Simply a man who didn’t want to die wondering.
Fuzzy Mannerz
Corringham based film-maker whose wry looks at life in Thurrock have been a welcome feature on YourThurrock.
Stylish film-maker who one day hopes to work full time as a documentary maker.
Former Gable Hall student and attendee of UCA at Farnham, Surrey doing Film Production.
Runs ‘Killer Panda Films’ (youtube.com/killerpandafilms)
Can be contacted on: fuzzymannerz@gmail.com or twitter.com/fuzzymannerz
Sylvia Kent
Acclaimed writer and historian. Patron of the Essex Book Festival, Sylvia is a virtual who’s who of the Literary World in Thurrock and Essex. Her work on Essex Folklore is particularly fascinating nut equally lauded for a variety of columns and articles she has contributed to a variety of papers over the years.
Sally Casey
Commander of Logistic Forces. YourThurrock couldn’t exist without the administrative wonder that is Sally . Re-charging camera batteries, checking the diary, as well as camera-woman duties are just a few examples of the logistical calm in a sea of single-skilled divas.
Tanya Coutts
Tanya is an experienced blogger having had one in the Thurrock Gazette for several years. She has just returned from four months studying in Quebec as part of her Journalism degree at City Univ. A talented writer who can turn her perceptive views into fascinating pieces of prose.
Lisa Chapman
Learning to use the camera and present excellent work. Spends most of her day correcting Mike Jones’s punctuation and making sure he’s fed on time.
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