Elizabeth Gardens in Long Lane, Grays, has 18 one-bedroom and 47 two-bedroom apartments. It has a restaurant, hair and beauty salon, laundry, activity room and landscaped gardens, and all the flats are designed to enable people to maintain their independence well into old age.

Thurrock Council’s portfolio holder for housing, Cllr Val Morris-Cook, said: “It is great to see the first residents moving in to their new home. This first step heralds a new era for housing in Thurrock. We are creating homes where people want to live, in communities that are friendly and well connected to local services.

“We hope this will enable older people to continue to enjoy life and go on making a valuable contribution to their communities.”

Elizabeth Gardens is geared towards people aged 55 and over who need care and support services. Most of the flats are being let at affordable rents and 18 have been sold on a shared-ownership basis.

Claire Anderson, Development and Services Director at Hanover, said: “It is great to see people moving in to Elizabeth Gardens. This is a a fantastic flagship development helping older people to live independently in their own home with the peace of mind of care on site.”

Elizabeth Gardens has an on-site 24-hour care team and residents in the apartments can also receive personal care, including help with dressing and washing.

Cllr Barbara Rice said: “The first residents moving in to Elizabeth Gardens is an important step in our journey to providing desirable places to live – homes that meet people’s needs as they grow older.

“This housing development is a great example of how we are tackling the issues that cause ill-health such as poor housing and social isolation.”

On Tuesday this year Thurrock Council marked the first step in the creation of a town named Grays with a Thurrock Heritage Plaque.

The plaque scheme is maintained by the council’s museum service maintaining and stimulating interest in the borough’s unique heritage.

The 13th plaque reflects on the arrival of Henry de Grey from France who settled here after his purchase of the parish, thus becoming Lord of the Manor.

His family continued to stay and the parish name became known as Grays Thurrock and the town simply as Grays.

The unveiling of the plaque was held at Grays Parish Church in the High Street and it is expected the plaque will be permanently placed nearby.

A grant from the Veolia Mardyke Trust enabled Thurrock Museum to continue its series of plaques across Thurrock.

Cllr John Kent said: “The council and the Post Office have been working closely together to try and secure its long-term future in Grays.

“It is a very complex situation, but the council has offered Grays Post Office a home for six to 12 months until we can get a permanent solution.”

He said: “We’ve offered the former cashiers area on the ground floor of the Civic Offices – it’s not ideal, but it is far better than losing the service altogether.”

From Monday, 24 June, Post Office services will be based in the New Road Civic Offices. Opening times will be 8.30am to 5.30pm Monday to Friday and 8.30am to 1pm on Saturdays.

Cllr Kent said: “Over the coming months we’ll keep talking with the Post Office, Grays Shopping Centre and others in and around the town to find a permanent home

“Last month I said we’d provide as much support as we could and that I was committed to ‘keeping the Post Office open and running normally in Grays’ and that’s what we have done.”

When Thurrock Council launched its six-month CCTV vehicle trial, local schools were invited to come up with a name as the car’s main aim is to try and bring an end to dangerous and thoughtless parking outside schools.

The winner was eight-year-old Jodie Fullerton, from Grays a pupil at St Thomas of Canterbury primary in Ward Avenue.

Her suggestion, PIPPA, won the competition and on Tuesday, portfolio holder for public protection, Cllr Angie Gaywood – with her shadow, Cllr Simon Wootton – visited the school with the car.

Jodie won £25 of Decathlon vouchers and her school received £100 of vouchers to spend too.

Cllr Gaywood said: “There was a really overwhelming response to the competition, with more than 650 entries overall.

“All of them were looked at very carefully and we would like to say a very big thank you to all the school children who took the time to enter.

“We know, when we have taken Pippa to some of our schools. that the pupils are really excited to see her – I don’t expect parents who do not take the time to park with care will share the same excitement – but the message is clear: please park properly to keep our children safe. Do that and you won’t get a ticket.”

She added that Pippa will be seen outside all local schools working hard to keep the children safe.

Cllr Wootton added: “We are asking parents and guardians to think carefully about how and where they park when they are taking or collecting children near schools.

“The best option – of course – is walking, but we know that is not always practical, so if you are going to drive please remember to park legally and safely’’

A big joint effort from residents and staff enabled them to raise £510 from a table top sale at the complex with refreshments and a raffle. The sale was attended by members of the public as well as some relatives of the residents.

Danielle Argent, the representative from The MacMillan Nurses came to Piggs Corner on Thursday 25 April to receive the cheque on their behalf and now someone in need will receive twenty hours of support from the nurses.

Laura Hudson, the new Volunteer Coordinator for ngage said “This will be my first Recruitment Fayre and I am looking forward to helping residents find their perfect placements within local organisations or charities. I would especially like to encourage residents who are considering volunteering for the first time to come along and find out more through talking to ngage and other people already volunteering in Thurrock. We are also keen to talk to people about volunteering at some of the summer events that are taking place this year, such as T Fest in July”.

The invitation is also open to organisations or groups who may be considering using volunteers for the first time, and will give them the opportunity to find out how volunteers can help support their development and provide support where it is needed.

For more information about the becoming a volunteer or registering your group or organisation, please come along to the Recruitment Fayre, visit our website www.ngagethurrock.org.uk or call the volunteer centre on 01375 389853.

ST Mary’s church in Dock Road, Little Thurrock is delighted to be playing host to the Thurrock Gospel Choir once again.

This time they will be bringing their familiar audio-visual worship music celebration ‘On a hill too far away’ on Saturday 11th May at 7.30 in the church.

Admission is free and refreshments will be available.

Come along for a great evening.

The ‘newest’ Rotary Club in the Thurrock Area are looking for more new members to join this young and vibrant Rotary Club.

www.rotarythurrockgateway.org

Inaugurated in May 2012, the club has held numerous social events…Ten Pin Bowling Evening,Cockney & Indian evenings,Romford Dogs,Garden Party,Dickens Festival,London Ghost Walks to name but a few…

As well as fund raising events such as…Quiz Nights, Race Night, Horndon 10k, Global Run for Water… all over the past year and the funds raised are being used to support many local and international worthy causes.

It is also a great networking opportunity too, enabling local businesses to interact on a fortnightly basis…

So why not “Come on down” bring friends & family too and join us on Monday 20th May @ 7pm and see what Rotary is ‘really’ all about…

The Blackshots Lane library is celebrating its diamond anniversary in the week of 13 to 18 May and Thurrock Council’s library service has issued an invitation to local people to pop along and join them.

People are being invited to see a special photographic display, or listen to a talk about the area; but on Saturday (18 May) they can come along to a party and add their own memories to a collection.

During the week there is an opportunity to see the photographic display put together by Andrew Burt, the council’s local studies librarian and Andrew himself will be there to chat about the display at the following times:

Monday, 13 May 2pm to 4pm;
Tuesday, 14 May 3pm to 5pm;
Friday, 17 May 10am to noon; and
Saturday, 18 May 10am to 4pm.

The library’s actual birthday is on the Thursday (16 May) and on that day, Jonathan Catton, the council’s heritage and museums officer, will be giving a talk entitled The Amazing History of Blackshots, starting at 6pm at the library. Tickets are free, but must be booked by phoning the library on 01375 373244.

On Saturday, 18 May local people are being invited to enjoy a family day out with a cup of tea and a slice of birthday cake.

Parents can bring along their children for the special story times and at 2pm meet the Mayor of Thurrock and listen to the sounds of Grays Town Band

As well as looking at the special photographic display and talking to Andrew Burt, visitors can bring along their own photographs of the area and share them with Aby Carew, Thurrock Council’s e-learning library services officer who will scan them onto the www.historypin.com website.

Local school children have also been invited to design a bookmark on the theme of My Library and the winners will be announced on 18 May in the library.

The Saturday festivities run from 10am until 1pm before restarting at 2pm for two hours.

The cadets set up a rowing machine in the foyer and set the controls for 27 miles, the distance between Dover and Calais.

Other cadets looked for donations from members of the public.

YT spoke to Neil McKee and asked how much they were hoping to raise.

After nearly 1,500 people took part in a Thurrock Council consultation looking at the future of the town, a series of workshops are to be held in April and May to develop the work already done.

Various survey methods were used to try and achieve as wide a selection of views as possible including telephone, face-to-face, and online. Grays School Media Arts College also ran the survey in the college and over 270 responses were received from their students.

Questions ranged from “how often do you visit Grays?” through to “how do you get there?” and “why do you visit?”

People were also asked how they “rate” the town, what improvements they would like to see and how would they improve the town.

At the same time a survey of businesses and other organisations based in and around the town centre was carried out to try and understand why they have come to the town centre, what changes business think might improve Grays as a location, and what roles should be considered for the town in the future.

Results from the surveys are now available online by going to the council’s home page – thurrock.gov.uk – and following the links to Consultations and Grays Town Centre.

The information will be used in a series of workshops – involving people who took part in the surveys and who said they were interested in continuing the work.

Cllr Andy Smith, portfolio holder for regeneration, said: “I would like to thank all the people who took part in the consultation. I’m sure many of us will have our ideas about Grays and how we should move things forward.

“The future of Grays is a very important part of the council’s regeneration plans and we want to get it right, so we needed as many people’s views as possible.

“Now many of those same people will be taking the next step forward with us, looking more closely at the possibilities, the pros and the cons, and helping develop a town that will be attractive and successful.

“We already have momentum generated by the new college which is even now starting to rise between the Civic Offices and the river, and we want to build on the enthusiasm of local people shown in the survey responses and such things as the Grays Town Partnership.

“It is also clear that we need to tackle congestion in Grays. I have therefore requested a review of the one way system and how to get access to the multi storey car park. I am keen to improve public realm and walking, cycling and public transport as important elements of the regeneration of the centre”

It has been extended at both ends first in the 14th century and then by the Victorians. The south doorway has been filled in and pews have been installed and then changed.

In our day we have a need for better lighting and heating as well as a toilet and somewhere to serve tea and coffee. This will make the church more welcoming and easier especially for young families and the very elderly.

Needless to say the changes will be expensive especially as the church is a Grade 2* listed building. They are expecting the total to be in the region of £200,000 of which we have £110,000 so far.

They have a programme of events to help us raise money for this refurbishment project. Come see the plans and have an enjoyable time in the following ways:

Beetle Drive: a fun evening on Friday 12th April at 7.30 in St Mary’s Hall. Tickets £3.50 available from Carol Ward 01375 375517

Mosaic Concert: an evening with this well-loved Thurrock Choir on Saturday 27th April at 7.30 in St Mary’s Church. Tickets £6.50 from Sue Mead 01375 390125

Cream teas: Saturday 13th July at St Mary’s Church and Hall. More details later.

Come to the meeting on Monday 29th April 2013, 7pm to 9pm (tea and coffee from 6.30pm) at the Beehive.

There is £1million to spend on projects to improve the area.

They need a group of enthusiastic residents to take a lead.

Contact your Big Local Rep: Jan Cole. T: 01376 574337 email: biglocalrep@essexrcc.org.uk

You could be one of the “Star People”

Do you have an idea for a project that will improve the lives of people in the Grays Riverside Area?

Star People Awards are grants made to community entrepreneurs by an organisation called UnLtd:

Try It (up to £500).
Do It (up to £5,000).
Build it (up to £15,000)

Find out how a Star People Award could help you develop your idea and maybe turn it into a social enterprise.

Contact Jan Cole
T: 01376 574337

email: biglocalrep@essexrcc.org.uk Newsletter 2 March 2013

Speaking after Wednesday evening’s meeting of Thurrock Council, Cllr John Kent said: “The café has been restored after last November’s blaze.

“A lot of hard work has been going on at the café and the whole park.

“As well as creating a new café building we have removed the old mini-golf course and plans are underway to create community allotments on that part of the site.

“The allotments will be run by local people and we hope some of the food produced will be used in the café to offer customers a range of fresh and delicious meals.”

Cllr Kent said: “Maybe the weather’s not quite right just yet, but parents should remember that with a huge and safe sand play area and Britain’s biggest play Galleon it’s a great place to bring the kids.