This group of young dancers are developing their dancing skills and enjoying the fun of Asian music by getting lessons from a professional trainer every Tuesday from 8 to 9 pm at the Grays School for the last five years. These girls showed their performances at the Thurrock Cultural Festival and also at the Diwali Function this year. At present 24 young girls and boys aged 7 to 18 are attending these classes.
Come along and be part of your Community. Community Forums are truly community led, you will get to meet your local councillors and there will be a presentation about the digital switchover
THURROCK COUNCIL voted last night to press ahead with designated public protection orders (DPPO’s) despite advice from senior police officers that there was no evidence that they were needed. Chief Inspector Richard Baxter and former Met Inspector and now council public protection boss, Jim Nicholson sat stony faced as the Thurrock councillors ‘pulled rank” and voted through orders that they hoped would reduce crime and anti-social behaviour.
Thurrock Thames Gateway Development Corporation paid £2million for the land at the site, and it was originally hoped a £40 million facility would be open by April 2012. The site was also designed to house a new Royal Mail sorting office and Territorial Army cadets centre.
A PETITION with a massive 2221 signatures against the development of 350 homes on the South Essex College at Woodview in Grays was handed in by residents last night at Thurrock Council.
Two resident spokespersons, Ray and Sue Abbott spoke passionately against the development which would see the college transfer to Grays high street.
The group offers adults the chance to listen to a story and share their experience of it with others in the group. Such shared reading encourages a real appreciation and enjoyment of literature and does not depend on an individual’s knowledge of a book.
“Far from reducing courses in these areas, we will be enhancing and improving them. For example, we will have new and improved brick, engineering and carpentry workshops and will also be able to offer improved provision of courses to local employers.
THE FIRST STEPS towards the restoration and regeneration of the State Cinema in Grays were taken yesterday at the planning meeting of the Thurrock Thames Gateway Development Corporation (DC). The DC granted approval for the building consent to carry out a programme of works to the Grade II* listed building which will enable it to be used as a mixed use venue for leisure purposes.
art:ifact is delighted to announce the second Open Vision Night, featuring presentations by four Thurrock based artists. The night of presentations will be held at the Thameside Theatre Bar, on the third floor of the Thameside Complex, Orsett Road, Grays at 8pm on Friday 13th January.
A packed house ‘enjoyed’ a host of local talent, which included BAFTA nominated actor Phil Davis (TVs Whitechapel and cult movie Quadrophenia (to name but two) re-kindling his South Ockendon roots with a ‘cameo’ appearance.
CHRISTMAS is a time of celebration for young and old alike. It’s also a time when St John’s welcome many people to our special Christmas services and events. A warm welcome awaits you at any of our services.
A GRAYS businessman is sick and tired of the state of Grays High Street and surrounding area. Tony Coughlin arranged to meet YT on a Saturday to discuss the decline of the area and what he intends to do about it.
Funnily enough, in the time that we were interviewing, we saw (what we perceived to be) at least two drug deals and one possible sale of illegal tobacco.
TWO LITTLE THURROCK COUNCILLORS have reacted angrily after Thurrock Council’s portfolio holder for housing, Councillor Andy Smith, ignored their calls for him to give a statement into a recent fire at a block of high-rise flats in their ward.
Concerned residents from Keir Hardie House in Blackshots contacted Councillors Ben Maney and Joy Redsell following a fire in an internal bin storage area on 27 November.
At the Doug Siddons Older People’s Complex we met a few residents who appreciated the improvements carried out to the Hall but asked to get the front resurfaced. In that area there is a big problem of parking which is now facilitated by the car parks which are on housing land. These parks needed improvements and regularising their usage.
The Premier Christian Radio initiative hopes to beat the current World Record for the largest number of people singing carols together across multiple locations. The aim is to recruit over 15,000 people to join in for 15 minutes of carolling.
In a residents survey conducted by Thurrock Liberal Democrats, the overwhelming response was to oppose the plans. A wide range of reasons were given, including the impact on already under strain services and schools in the area. Commenting on results of the survey local campaigner, Claire Jones said: “We have knocked on every door in Woodside and it is clear that residents do not want this and are worried about the impact it will have on their community.
THE GRAYS OPEN mic sessions continue with a night at the Grays snooker club in the High Street (above the Blockbusters). This is the third session and have been well attended so far.
FILM and TV star, Philip Davis is just one of the highlights of the Grays Thurrock Rotary Club Christmas concert at the Civic Hall, in Blackshots, on Friday, December 16. The evening will also include the Aveley and Newham Band, Mosaic Choir and the Deneholm primary school choir.
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE), prosecuting, told Basildon Magistrates’ Court that in the early hours of 13 May 2011, driver Leslaw Chorazak, 54, was waiting to take his place at the wheel of the articulated 45ft heavy goods vehicle at the KBC depot in Askews Farm Road, Grays reports Roadtransport.com
The Chafford councillors said: “In view of the lack of consultation as promised with ward members, lack of consultation with members of the public, as set out within the Council’s constitution, incompleteness of the Cabinet Report on which the decision was made, and the lack of financial clarity, call in of the Cabinet decision is warranted”.
EASTENDERS star Scott Maslen will be appearing at Grays Shopping Centre on Saturday, November 26th. The actor, who plays Jack Branning in the BBC soap, will there midday until 2pm.
“The 200 bus service in Stifford Clays provided a straight through service to Orsett then Basildon. First Essex gave us very short notice that they were withdrawing this service and re-routing this in favour of a more commercially viable route. This effectively means our residents have no through service to Basildon. We have many elderly residents that relied on this service to attend hospital appointments and additionally residents who used this service to get to work. We have already written to First Essex but feel that a petition may show them how many residents have been affected and persuade them to think again.”
The main service was in Grays. It was led by Rev Darren Barlow from St Peters and St Pauls church.
Once again, it was a seamless service, perfectly pitched and superbly organised. The most poignant site was the presence of private Alex Stringer who some months ago returned from Afghanistan with terrible injuries.
Cllr Lynn Worrall, portfolio holder for Sport and Culture in Thurrock, added: “The Olympics are a massive cultural event for our nation, a chance to show ourselves off to the world. The fact that the Olympic Torch Relay is coming to our borough is something we should all celebrate.
