WHEN Alzheimer Society Worker, Julie Hayward, contacted the Port of Tilbury to enquire if one of their service users, Rodney Barber, could visit the port, she was pleasantly surprised by the response she received. Cruise Terminal & Community Liaison Manager, Lynda Viccars, forwarded Rodney an invitation for a private tour and, having made the necessary security arrangements for access, met them both last Wednesday and escorted them to Lockside where Rodney was able to see a container ship sailing through the lock. They then went on to see operations at 43 Berth before visiting the historic London Cruise Terminal.
Rodney worked at the Port for 11 years as a Fitter, mainly at 1 Berth, and enjoyed reminiscing about his days working in the docks. He was interested in the cranes and heavy machinery that are now used to offload heavier cargo and recalled how the dockers never used to like working on the rubber cargo as it was so solid and heavy to handle. “If you dropped one of the rubber blocks, you never knew which way it was going to bounce and we would all scatter everywhere to avoid it!” he joked. “I also remember the time I was with the lads making a curry in the workshop and we didn’t have any onions, so I sneaked into a shed to get one … and got locked in!”
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As part of the Community Mental Health team, the The Alzheimers Society Carers Respite Service recently moved into the Resource Centre in Bridge Road, Grays. The centre also provides an outreach service, visiting clients, checking on their well being, and giving support generally. Further information on the support they can provide can be obtained from Julie on 01375 413756.
The Tilbury Riverside Project are actively seeking stories like Rodney’s for the Tilbury & Chadwell Memories Community Archive website which will be launched at the Open Day at the London Cruise Terminal on Sunday 1st April to celebrate the 100th anniversary of Tilbury. The Terminal will be open to the community from 10 am until 4 pm.
Visitors will be able to listen to Museum & Heritage Officer, Jonathan Catton, talk about the changes that have taken place over the years in the town and there will be memorabilia and exhibitions on display and opportunities to take a port tour on a Routemaster bus or a guided riverside walk. For further details, see the Events page at www.londoncruiseterminal.com or contact Tilbury Riverside Project on 01375 859911
