SOME STORIES come at an opportune time. On Tuesday evening YT was filming at Thurrock Lawn Tennis Club, Spartans Boxing Club and Thurrock Harriers. Whilst driving (not jogging?-Ed) around the borough, on a lovely Tuesday evening, we saw joggers on Long Lane, Stifford, footballers on Blackshots, power walkers in Fobbing to name but a few.
And then we arrived at the Pegasus Club in Herd Lane, Corringham which faces an uncertain future as it isd part of the Petroplus, Coryton concern, which went into administration recently.
Looking out from the pavilion, cricketers were hitting fours, bowlers were finding jacks, footballers were being put through their pre-season and even the rugby posts were going up.
Looking out at the sporting vista was quite an impressive array of Thurrock politicians: Baroness Smith of Basildon, MP for South Basildon and East Thurrock, Stephen Metcalfe, UKIP MEP Stuart Agnew. They were joined by the leader of the Labour group, cllr John Kent, deputy leader, Val Morris-Cook as well as shadow leader, cllr Phil Anderson and a number of other councillors.
And one of the first things that committee member, David Hillier, made reference to was the rise and fall over the years, in the borough, of the sports facilities attached to businesses and industries: Thames Board Mills, Bata in East Tilbury to name just a few.
Mr Hiller, joined by other committee members, made a short presentation to the politicians where he informed the group that the club had 1900 members and 30 members of staff. That September 2nd was a key date when a number of employees at Petroplus, Coryton would leave their work for the last time.
A number of issues were discussed including the right to buy, village green status, interest from other groups including property developers to football clubs.
In our short film, Mr Hillier pleads the Peg Clubs case whilst council leader, John Kent answers a number of his questions.
