On Thursday (11 November) a small service was held at the town’s war memorial and a wreath was laid by Mayor of Thurrock, Cllr Anne Cheale.
The two minute silence at 11am was observed with many shoppers standing still. The silence was also observed at the Civic Offices in New Road, Grays.
And on Sunday traffic was stopped along Orsett Road as representatives from the services — past and present — and hundreds of others joined the mayor at 11am for the Remembrance Sunday service.
About 150 members of Ockendon Scout & Guide Group along with Beavers, Cubs and Scouts from Stifford Sea Scouts and Aveley Guides and Brownies braved the weather and took part in a Remembrance Day Parade from their Headquarters in Tamarisk Road, Ockendon to the Village War Memorial yesterday. The parade was led by a British Legion Band from Chadwell Heath and members of the local British Legion. The Remembrance Day service was conducted by the Rev Brian Duckworth and his team and music during the service was played by Thurrock Spectrum Brass Band.
About 400 people took part in the service on the Green in South Ockendon, which finished just as the rain came down. The parade back to the Ockendon Headquarters was rather wet however, so the hot soup and drinks provided by committee members was well received by many wet young people and their parents as well as the Band and British Legion. Colin Ward, Ockendon Group Scout Leader said, “The Parade was very well attended and we would like to thank the organisers and all involved, especially Essex Police for managing the traffic during the parade and 2 minute silence”.
