At 2pm schoolchildren and community groups will walk the Thurrock Olympic Heritage Trail. This fascinating glimpse into Grays History will be lead by Thurrock Museums Jonathan Catton who will point out features along the way. The walk from Blackshots will arrive at Grays War Memorial at approximately 3pm where they will be met by the Mayor of Thurrock Cllr Tony Fish.

Accompanied by a steel band and dancers, the arrival of the parade will herald the start of Grays Street Festival when a dozen street entertainers will be in Grays High Street and Grays Shopping Centre causing hilarity and havoc amongst market-goers. Entrance is free to the festival which will run from 3pm to 5.30pm. The street entertainers are all Essex based professionals and will make an interesting spectacle of music, comedy and participation.

At 7.30pm that night you can see Chris (Son of Dave) Brubeck performing at Thurrock Civic Hall. “Jazz meets Classics” features the Orchestre Symphonique de Bretagne with guest soloist Chris on the trombone and keyboard. They will be joined by young musicians from Thurrock’s very own Big Band and R.O.H Youth Choir RM19. Tickets from the Thameside Theatre box office 0845 300 5264.

All the events are part of the T.I.C.C. Summer Festival – bringing together many organisers and partners to highlight what a great place Thurrock is to live. You can find more details about T.I.C.C and the events of the summer events on the website www.ticculture.co.uk. You can also log your own cultural events on there.

The Choir, now around 40 strong, was formed in 1938 and has been going strong ever since.

Mr Metcalfe commented: “I was delighted to be able to support the choir at their 75 anniversary celebration. It is a fantastic achievement to reach this milestone and I hope that there will be many more to come in the future!”

The choir gave a special performance at the dinner which is one of many throughout the year. Through their performances over the years the choir have raised over £100,000 for local and national charities.

Mr Metcalfe added: “As well as being dedicated to first rate performances, the choir have shown great dedication in raising money for good causes. I am sure that every charity who has benefited from their superb singing is extremely grateful and I would like to thank the choir for their continued work in this area.”

The choir meet in Grays Methodist Church Hall on Monday evenings at 7:30pm. If you are interested in joining them, go along and see if you would like to become a member. Further information can be found here: http://www.thurrockmalevoicechoir.co.uk

The event – at Redden Court School in Harold Wood – saw awards for service excellence go to Lansdowne Academy, Ormiston Park Academy, and Bulphan Church of England Primary.

The awards were presented by Janet Clark, Thurrock Council’s Strategic Lead Operational, Resources and Libraries Unit.

The Gold Award for Service of Excellence was received by Cindy Athey on behalf of the Lansdowne Academy Team; while Karen Taylor from Bulphan Primary collected the bronze award.

The Silver Award was received by from Elizabeth Hounsome, Amanda Milligan and Elaine Kirby on behalf of the Ormiston Park Academy team.

The awards celebrate the hard work, dedication and efforts of all the catering teams that provide a meal service to primary schools and academies across both boroughs.

So, over the next four days, we will publish our four interviews with the artists.

First off, Christian Squibb, who takes us through the abstract world depicted in his work.

The council’s planning, transport and regeneration overview and scrutiny committee agreed the move and the special sitting of the committee will be on Monday, 1 July.

Open to the public throughout, the meeting will be held in “select committee” style in the afternoon, with an open public session in the evening.

Details are still being finalised, but the committee agreed at its last meeting that hearing evidence from as wide an audience as possible and as many different opinions would help the council formulate its final response to the government’s consultation.

The afternoon session – from 2pm – will include discussions with experts and interest groups from inside and outside the borough. Among those invited are the Highways Agency, Department for Transport, MPs and senior councilors from areas affected by the proposals; Thurrock, Dartford, Gravesham and Medway.

At 7pm there should be a public meeting style discussion for residents, community groups and other Thurrock councilors who might wish to make a contribution.

The government is running a consultation on three proposed options for a new crossing. The consultation can be easily accessed through the council’s website, www.thurrock.gov.uk

Planning, transport and regeneration overview and scrutiny chair, Cllr Gerard Rice, said: “It is important that the council and local people have as much information as possible before they respond to the consultation.

“We must be able to say no to the three options and either suggest an alternative route or explain why a crossing isn’t needed.

“Simply saying no is not the way to go, we need a reasoned approach.”

And Council Leader, Cllr John Kent, added: “It seems like a great idea. We should ask civil servants and politicians to come here and explain the reasons they are support or objecting these options.”

Comments from local people would be welcomed and anybody interested in taking part in the evening public discussion session is asked to contact the Executive Assistant to David Bull, Director of Planning and Transportation (email tfurber@thurrock.gov.uk), so suitable arrangements can be made.

The garden was impeccably kept. Mr D’s daughter opened the door and led me to her bed-ridden father. The house was perfectly tidy and there were no offensive smells. Mrs D, in her 90’s, was well turned out. I attended to my patient and walked downstairs with Mrs D and her daughter. The daughter was covering for her mother for 2-3 hours every day, so that Mrs D could have some time of her own, just to keep sane. As I was leaving, my eyes caught sight of a black and white picture on the mantel piece showing Mrs D carrying her toddler daughter. The D’s also get some support from carers.

On the way back to the surgery I found myself reflecting. There’s a family who have not forsaken our Judaeo-Christian traditions and the ten commandments which say “ Honour your father and mother”. Mr and Mrs D carried their daughter, and now it is her turn to carry them. Honour is not just a word or even a feeling. It is a life of care for the parents who once cared for us. Parents, who gave up sleep and careers to raise us, deserve something back. It’s called care.

Care costs, the main expenditure being time and affection. Money is modern society’s way of measuring care. Michael Caine once said: “Save your money. You’re going to need twice as much money in your old age as you think.”

Of course not all families are the same. Whilst some elderly people may have no family and may need the state to contribute, there are many families who look to the state to do their caring for them. The proportion of elderly people in our population has risen increasingly. Expectations have risen too. Yet the country can not afford to keep on increasing spending.”

The social care deficit has for so many years over-spilled into the NHS. The lack of adequate care has un-necessarily both generated un-necessary hospital admissions and prolonged them at a huge cost. This drains the NHS so that when those who should be caring for their parents need medical attention, they will have to wait longer for lack of beds and other resources, un-necessarily expended due to their abdication of responsibility towards their parents.

In this context, the cycle of life simply consist of 2 alternating roles: the cared-for and the carers; we are the cared-for when we are born and are young; in adulthood we care for our children, and grandparents; later on, also care our parents; when we reach old age, we hope to be cared for by our children and grandchildren. If those who could, accepted this natural cycle, the country would not have to cap costs.

The lesson of the good Samaritan is not only that the Samaritan stranger, out of the goodness of his heart, cared for the injured Jew, but that the injured man’s kinsmen walked by, leaving him to die. The kinsmen abdicated their responsibility of care.

We far too often look to the state to be our Good Samaritan. In a developed society, is it too much to ask ourselves: Do I really honour my father and mother?

Who cares?

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.”

Robert Bayford of Stenning Avenue was arrested in July 2011 following a multi agency operation involving the England Illegal Money Lending Team, Essex Police and Thurrock Council. He was charged with illegal money lending, after his home and business premise was searched.

Offences in relation to money laundering and handling stolen goods were not proceeded with.

Dc Steve Cunningham from Essex Police said: “Robert Bayford has lined his own pockets whilst depriving many financially vulnerable individuals of their livelihoods through illegal money lending.

“Essex Police in conjunction with partner agencies worked tirelessly to bring Mr Bayford to justice.”

FUSED is for anyone who has ever wanted to sing but felt afraid to try. It is for those who would love to join a choir but do not feel their voice is good enough. It’s for experienced singers too who would like to learn new techniques or styles. FUSED is for everyone who just loves singing and it offers a world of music waiting for everyone to enjoy.

Over two days, expert coaches and singers will run workshops in a huge range of different singing styles: from choral singing to beat-boxing, from gospel to opera. The workshops are suitable for beginners or experienced singers and some are open to children.

On Saturday 29 June, the festival has a community focus and all are welcome. Workshops on offer include an Introduction to Opera, an Introduction to Sight Reading Music, World Music and many others. Workshops cost £3 and can be booked through the Royal Opera House Box Office on 020 7304 4000 or online at www.roh.org.uk/fused.

At 7.30pm, the Royal Opera House Thurrock Community Chorus performs in concert with other vocal groups from around Thurrock including: Thurrock Choral Society, Golden Voices, a Barbershop Quartet and more! Concert tickets are £8, concessions £6. Tickets can be purchased from the Royal Opera House Box Office on 020 7304 4000 or online at www.roh.org.uk/fused.

On Sunday 30 June, young voices have a chance to gain valuable experience working with professional singers and chorus leaders in workshops for the male voice, the female voice, beatboxing and rap. The workshops cost from £1 and are open to all young people aged from 9 – 25 years. A session of future vocal leaders is open to all ages.
RM19, the Royal Opera House Thurrock Youth Singing Group will make one of their first public appearances in a concert on Sunday evening at 6pm. The concert will include other young groups from across Thurrock such as Creative Blast and Karis’s Angels.

Tickets for the concert are £8, concessions £6. Tickets can be purchased and workshops can be booked through the Royal Opera House Box Office on 020 7304 4000 or online at www.roh.org.uk/fused.

FUSED takes place at the Tilbury Riverside Arts and Activity Centre and the London Cruise Terminal. Workshops run from 11am. Refreshments will be available to purchase throughout the day. Food stalls and a bar will be available prior to the concerts.

Following FUSED, the Royal Opera House Thurrock Community Chorus holds a Men Only taster session on Monday 1 July at the High House Production Park at 7.30pm. The Thurrock Community Chorus is friendly, lively and dedicated. Recruitment takes place only occasionally. This is a great opportunity to discover an absorbing hobby, meet new friends and uncover a hidden talent.

For more information on FUSED, RM19 or the Royal Opera House Thurrock Community Chorus, please email getinvolved@roh.org.uk or call 01708 891200.

YT popped down to the RM19 group as they were rehearsing on Saturday afternoon. They had the benefit of being tutored by the engaging and charismatic, Dominic Peckham, who is the artistic director of the ROH youth ensemble.

In addition to the Committee members, in attendance will be:

Clare Panniker, Chief Executive, Basildon and Thurrock University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust;

David Wood OBE, Chief Executive, Attend (formerly the National Association of Hospital & Community Leagues of Friends).

This year is a very special AGM because they are handing over to David Wood the MBE and citation given to the late Mrs Queenie Twittey in the 2000 New Year’s Honours List. Queenie was given this award for her dedication to the League of Friends over nearly 20 years. Queenie died in Basildon Hospital in December 2012, aged 94 and, having no family, all the memorabilia was given to the Basildon League of Friends. Attend have agreed to display it in their London offices.

During the last financial year, April 2012 – March 2013, the Basildon League of Friends donated a total of £68,488.86 to Basildon Hospital making the total, since the League was formed in 1961, a grand £1,172,553.

It cannot be stressed enough, that without all the good, dependable volunteers who regularly give up their time they would not be able to do this. They are always looking for new volunteers who should contact either Chairman, Terry Moore, 01268 285296 or Co-ordinator Rita Keeler 01268 793864.

For any further information, or to confirm attendance, contact ritalof@hotmail.co.uk

Further detailed information will be available at the AGM.

The Tories will have to get up early in the morning to catch council leader and education boss, John Kent.

Thurrock Council’s Leader and new education portfolio holder has launched his plan to visit every school in the borough over the coming months.

On Monday (17 June) , Cllr John Kent visited Thameside Primary in Manor Road, Grays with director of children’s services Carmel Littleton.

They were met by head teacher Christina Pumfrey and Cllr Kent said afterwards: “I was really impressed by how Christina has taken the school’s long-standing community ethos and driven it forward in her short time there.”

He said: “Education is vital to success across all our communities and to do that our schools must be able to understand their local people.

“We are already seeing a steady improvement in standards and those that are doing well are working hard to share their knowledge and experience.”

Cllr Kent added: “In this programme of visits I aim to speak with as many teachers and pupils as possible; I want to know what they think about their schools and what can be done to make it better.

“I can’t promise to do it all, but I can promise that I will listen and take their concerns, thoughts and ideas to senior officers here at the council.”

He added: “We have promised that we want to provide the best education possible. My expectation is that the children and young people of today are well-placed to get the management jobs in Thurrock’s regeneration projects of tomorrow.”

Thameside Primary School head teacher Christina Pumfrey said: “We are seeing real improvement at our school, thanks to the dedication and hard work of teachers and support staff, but also the enthusiasm and energy of our pupils and commitment of parents. It is fantastic to see our young people progressing so well through the early years of education.”

RATA intend to arrange other events that continue to bring family fun and community spirit into Corringham Town Centre. The Association is currently awaiting a decision from Thurrock Council regarding their licence application to use the Town Square. Once this has been decided it will then determine the type of events they are allowed to organise. They have some great ideas for future events for the Town Centre which will be non-profit making run by the community for the community.

If you would like to be involved please come along to our next meeting on Tuesday 25th
June at 7pm in Corringham Village Hall to join the Residents and Traders Association of Corringham.

Over the next month or two RATA will be en- deavouring to bring some colour to the Town Centre with flowers. If there are any keen gardeners out there who have some spare plants they would like to donate to RATA, in order to help, then please call us on 07938 518576 or email randtofcorringham@gmail.com

Following last year’s success of Cinderella, Polka Dot Pantomimes will once again be producing Essex’s best value Pantomime that will combine a West End cast, spectacular scenery, glittering costumes and some truly magical surprises. Leading the cast will be the lovely Natalie Cassidy who we all know as Sonja Jackson in BBC1’s EastEnders and more recently in BBC1’s Dancing on Ice. Natalie will play the Fairy in this year’s Pantomime and will be joined by the return of West End star Wain Douglas as our Dame who has been a favourite with the audience at the Thameside Panto in recent years.

It’s going to be a great show and tickets are already selling fast! To book your tickets you can telephone us on 0845 300 5264 or you can pop along to the theatre and book your tickets with our helpful Box Office staff. The Box Office is open 10.00am to 5.00pm Monday to Friday and on Saturdays 10am to 1.00pm. Alternatively, you can go on-line at www.thurrock.gov.uk/theatre any time of the day or night, where you can purchase up to 9 tickets. Book now to avoid disappointment and get the best seats in the house!

Also, don’t forget that it is the Children’s Panto Chorus Auditions this Saturday 22 June at the Thameside Theatre, Grays from 10.00am – 1.00pm.

Children must be no younger than 8 years old by 1 September 2013.

To audition, you must fill in an application form which is available from the Thameside Theatre Box Office or by sending an email to Polka Dot Pantomimes at darren@polkadotpantomimes.co.uk or call Polka Dot Pantomimes on Tel: 01775 712359 and bring it with you on the day.