Research was gathered with the aid of Lynda Viccars, Cruise Terminal & Community Liaison Manager and the marine staff at the Port of Tilbury, allowing students to experience at first hand a working lock, whilst learning about the 125 year history and future plans for the Port; gathering valuable research into the function and existing infrastructure of the site today.
 

Student Ryan Christy stated that “Seeing the ships pass through the lock gave me a real sense of scale, which changed my opinion of what I could design for the space, giving me a much better understanding of its potential”.

A TREE was planted last week for Tony Guyon, a very valued volunteer for the Tilbury Riverside Project by his wife Christine.

Tony volunteered for over eight years for the Tilbury Riverisde Project before his sudden death.

Many members of the Tilbury Riverside Project attended the memorial planting and his wife Christine said ‘Tony would have been amazed that so many people thought highly of him’.

The Chairman Of TRP Ron Curtis said ‘I am delighted that so many attended the ceremony, Tony was loved by everyone and is dearly missed.

For more information about the Tilbury Riverside Project then please contact Annie 01375 859911

On Thursday, Pete travelled to Buckingham Palace to accept his MBE from Prince Charles.

On Saturday evening, friends and family gathered to celebrate Pete’s work.

It is a measure of his worth that the mayor, cllr Charles Curtis also attended the special event.

YT caught up with Pete before celebrations began to ask how the visit to the “Big house” went and what the MBE means to him.

The problem started on Sunday morning at Freemantle House in Leicester Road, Tilbury.

The problem wasn’t solved until Monday afternoon.

A Thurrock Council spokesperson said: The leak was caused by a faulty valve on the main water tank on the top floor of the block.

“The water had to be turned off while repairs were carried out and a new valve was fitted, the work was completed at around 2pm yesterday.

“The council supplied emergency water bottles for residents which were distributed by concierge staff until the repairs were completed.”

Cllr Liddiard said: “Child poverty, I see as a general term that describes those conditions that affect young lives in poorer families. These conditions are often but not exclusively around diet, education, aspirations, practical restrictions, travel and transportation, petty crime, antisocial behaviour, low self esteem, truancy, gang culture, violence and drug dealing.

“I think poverty is a key factor and I am reminded daily of the impact that has. I am not surprised when I hear that 90% of a local authority’s resources are targeted at 10% of the population.

“In government, Benefits, Tax credits and Child Protection is done to us and laid down by statutory arrangements. Before a law is passed, a great many experts are consulted. Councillors use their Local Government Associations and their MP’s to channel their views into parliament.

At ward level, Councillors listen to family problems and debt issues, often directing them towards the professional or agency that can best deal with their issues (Citizens Advice, Benefits Advisors, DWP, Legal rep.) In many instances, the Councillor, who is easily accessible and seen as a local representative and friendly contact, can explain, diffuse and mediate where there are difficult issues. In extreme cases, the Councillor may gain the help of more senior politicians, MP, CEO, Police Authority etc.

“Providing better housing and other social benefits is important but cannot solve the problem that some families experience, alone.

In Tilbury, we have some of the worst housing conditions in the borough and in Essex. I find this extremely frustrating as Thurrock is limited on what it can spend on refurbishment. The waiting list for social housing gets longer each year.

Councillors have a role in supporting policies that regenerate deprived areas, ensuring conditions are right for businesses to prosper and create better paid jobs for locals. Also, through education, families can lift themselves out of poverty, gaining skills that earn higher salaries. More recently, Councillors have agreed to create 200 apprenticeships internal to the council, primarily for young people not in employment. All Councillors must be committed to their borough being a place where residents can reach their full potential regardless of gender, race and disability.

As parents, we don’t get much training bringing up children into this tough world. We are often stressed or looking for relaxation ourselves when our kids need most time and attention. Poor parenting and poverty (sometimes mental ill health and family break ups) can be a dangerous combination.

Schools and local authorities get involved when children are seen as “at risk”. For many, this is too late to prevent unsatisfactory cultures developing. Social worker interventions often cause resentment, fear, embarrassment and denial. I think Surestart and Family Centres do a good job, teaching parenting skills but sometimes it’s too little, too late. As a former Specialist Foster parent, I know kids need love, discipline, support, encouragement and learning from 0-5 years old. What a parent does later in their life is mainly cosmetic.

“You can see how I feel about child poverty. This and other factors affect child behaviour, having an impact on society. Child Poverty is a complex subject and I guess there are many experts who can provide suitable advice to this government. My advice would be to teach simple parenting skills at ante natal classes as prevention is better than cure.

Ensure that benefits for poorer families are simpler to understand, more timely and more easily accessible, especially for single parents. Encourage and reward community mums as champions at parenting skills in deprived areas. We should allow teachers, doctors and child health practitioners greater freedoms and powers to recommend interventions that could tackle the deprivation, lack of development, behavioural problems etc.

“Society cannot afford to have hundreds of young people, (NEETS= not in education, employment or training) with very little money and too much time on their hands. It is a recipe for serious social problems. The employment/benefits balance needs to be reviewed to ensure that these people are fully skilled for the upturn in the economy when or wherever it may be. A small minority lack the motivation, attitude and fitness to work. They need to be helped and encouraged to work even if it means volunteering.

Paul McEwen was reported missing by his wife on November 17 after she had not seen him for 10 days.

The 49-year-old handyman from Tilbury in Essex is described as white, of thin build, about 5ft 10in tall and has light-brown hair. He speaks with a strong Scottish accent.

On New Year’s Eve, a woman was approached by a man under the Erskine Bridge on the River Clyde near Glasgow Airport. He was wearing high-visibility trousers and jacket and was carrying a satchel. He had been asking for directions. The woman then saw an article in the local newspaper and recognised the man she had spoken to as Paul.

An Essex Police spokesman said: “We have spoken to this woman who is “confident and adamant” that the man was Paul McEwen. As a result, we are now focusing our enquiries on this sighting and are speaking to bridge employees and contractors who are currently carrying out installation work at the site.”

Anyone with information in connection with this missing person investigation is urged to contact Essex Police on 101.

Martin Dalton of the Yellow Advertiser took a really good photo of two lorries passing each other and just a whisker away from each other.

On Friday, YT went down to the tip and when one of the lorries left, we followed it and filmed it as it travelled down the road until it got to Linford.

One of the added hazards is the low winter sun. It has been a lovely weekend but as you drive down that road, it really hits the windscreen.

It is just something to consider and may add to the residents and councillors concerns if this matter goes to the next stage.

1. Community Grants

The Thurrock Council for Voluntary Service is administering a Community Grants scheme on behalf of Thurrock Council.

£81,000 is available to local voluntary, community and faith organisations working in support of Thurrock’s priority to ‘Build pride, respect and responsibility in Thurrock’s communities and its residents’.

The fund was launched in November 2011 and applications can be made up to the end of January 2012.

Application forms are available via the Thurrock CVS website.

Local organisations can also apply up to £5000. Applicants must be members of CVS – this is to encourage capacity building within the voluntary, community and faith sector.

Organisations must have been active since December 2009 (newer groups can apply through another organisation as a sponsor).

2. Community First

This is an £80 million government initiative which targets those wards in England considered to be subject to significant deprivation and low social capital.

Eligible wards where data showed an 10% increase in benefit claimants was noted between May 2009 – 2010.

Four wards in Thurrock are considered to be eligible for this programme. They are Chadwell St Mary; Tilbury St Chads; Tilbury Riverside and Thurrock Park and West Thurrock and South Stifford.

There are two elements to Community First; the Community First Neighbourhood Grant Programme (up to 2015) and the Endowment Match Challenge (beyond 2015).

The £30 million Community First Neighbourhood Grant Programme will make £33,910 available to each ward for local improvements over the life of the programme. In order to access this funding local areas must establish a Community First Panel, and the Panel must identify match funding.

A Community First Panel should comprise between 4 – 8 local residents who will need to register their interest on-line with the Community Development Foundation to be recognised. The Panel will then need to work with local residents and partners to produce a Community First Plan and recommend projects/activities to be funded in their ward.

3.Devolved Councillor Budgets

Seven Councillors in three wards have access to £2000 each, to pilot a devolved budget scheme. These wards are: Stanford East and Corringham Town, Tilbury St Chads and Chafford South.

Devolved Councillor Budgets were agreed by Cabinet in June as a pilot project to support elected councillors to be effective community champions.

One application has been approved – £1000 each from both Councillors in Tilbury St Chads will be used to support bulb planting at the Daisy Field, Tilbury.

The congregation — young and old — from the Restoration Centre based in Tilbury entertained staff and residents at Alexandra Hall in the Alexandra Road complex, Tilbury through the afternoon.

Paul McEwan , 49, had not been seen for at least 19 days near his address in Adelaide Road, Tilbury.

Mr McEwan has no close family or friends in the area and was reported missing on Thursday, November 17, by his former partner when she had not heard from him in a while.

Mr McEwan has connections in the Clydebank area of Scotland and police are working on the possibility he may have made his way up north.

He is described as white, 5ft 10ins tall, thin, with light brown hair.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Essex Police at Tilbury on 101.

The switch on was made by chief executive of the Port of Tilbury, Perry Glading alongside one of Tilbury’s finest sons, Pete Hewitt.

Organisations such as Morrison gave their time and support to ensure the stage and many other items were there.

Santa didn’t disappoint as he rode into the Civic Square on a steam engine. Was it Santa or was it Fred Dibhah. Either way, he was a very cheerful Santa and had a queue of children waiting to see him.

Choirs and dancers also entertained the crowd in what was a very entertaining night.

The girl went missing at just after 7pm on Saturday Dec 3rd.

Officers from Essex Police searched the area for her. They were soon joined by the police helicopter which scoured the area.

After a couple of hours had passed, someone put a message on Twitter stating: “Ten year old girl missing in Tilbury, UK. Name Jessica wearing pink fleece. If you see her contact police immediately 999. Please Retweet”

Eddie Izzard has 2,143,968 followers and followers certainly did. Before you knew it, hundreds of followers had retweeted the message including comedian Simon Evans, Simon Armitage and people from all over the world including USA, Indonesia and Australia.

An Essex Police spokesperson said: “The girl was found safe and well, three hours after the initial call.”

It is understood she was at a friends house nearby.

The trouble is the message is still being passed on: as YT was writing this story, eighteen hours after “Jessica” went missing, “pryerlee” re-tweeted the message.

Tilbury man Neil Robin Wright left Tilbury to work on the 84th floor for Cantor Fitzgerald in New York City.

There is a grave for Neil, along with his grand-parents in Chadwell St Mary cemetery.

YT filmed a tribute on the tenth anniversary at the grave-side on his death.

We returned to the cemetery just before we left for New York. The police were in the cemetery as yobs had vandalised graves nearby.

A few days later, on a very rainy Wednesday morning in lower Manhattan, we went to the 9/11 memorial and found where Neil’s name is inscribed on the North Tower pool.

It is one of the most eagerly anticipated nights of the year in the Town.

Events start at 4.30pm with the big switch on at 6pm.

There will be a variety of acts, festivities and events.

Organisations such as the Tilbury Riverside project, Tilbury Community Forum and Port of Tilbury have been working all year round to ensure the lights go up tonight, so please come along.