WITH an election looming in May, Labour started to bring in their big guns to the borough as they sought to defend the 6,000 plus majority. First up was the king of spin, Alastair Campbell who attended a special fundraiser for Carl Morris at the Thameside. Later on in the month, Neil Kinnock spoke at a fundraiser for Angela Smith, Shahid Malik visited DP World while for the Tories, David Cameron made a quick visit to the Port of Tilbury.
Thurrock reached the heady heights of second in the Blue Square South after a 1-0 win at Woking. It was then that manager Hakan Heyrettin wanted to make more signings. Chairman Tommy South wasn’t so keen. The team finished tenth and after a poor start this season, Hakan left the club.
We asked the question: why were their so many “underperforming” care homes in the borough.
Labour got on board the Tilbury ferry as the ruling Tory group questioned the funding for the ferry whilst another campaign began in South Ockendon to save the horses near to the Ham river that were facing eviction.
The senior schools continued to be hotbeds of energy and initiative while the primary schools seemed dogged by “struggling” stories. We interviewed Orsett primary head, Ian Bendrey on the day he quit his post.
A war of words broke out between the chief executive of the Council for Voluntary Services, Naya Naqvi and the Deputy leader of Thurrock Council, cllr Amanda Arnold as the councillor demanded more outcomes and results from the voluntary sector as opposed to “meetings after meetings.
Councillors Peter Maynard, Richard Bingley, Carl Morris, Peter Harris, John Everett, Marion Canavan. Maureen Pearce and Barrie Lawrence all took their final bow.
We have chosen one of our school films for March. Here we visited the hard working ladies from Hassenbrooks schools restaurant that had just been awarded five stars for their healthy food as well as many other qualities.
