NEARLY 60 years ago the east coast of England and the Thames Estuary was struck by horrendous flooding
The night of 31 January/1 February 1953 saw the most recent large coastal flood in Europe, claiming a total of 2,100 lives, most on the Continent.
But the surge that night caused great flooding in the borough with much of Tilbury under water and 58 deaths in Canvey Island.
To commemorate the anniversary the Tilbury Riverside Project, in co-operation with Thurrock Council, is holding an event at the Tilbury Riverside Arts Activity Centre (TRACC) in Ferry Road, Tilbury on the evening of 31 January.
The event, which starts at 7pm, will include a guided torchlight walk along the Tilbury Promenade, where the guides will explain the chronology of events that tragic night.
This will be followed by refreshments, further talks and the sharing of memories, which will take place inside the TRAAC building. There is also an exhibition of memorabilia and photographs from the great flood at the centre.
The event will be ticketed with tickets available from Thameside box office and other outlets from 7 January.
The Tilbury Riverside Project is still collecting memories from the great flood. Contact Annie O’Brien on 01375 859911, or at annie@tilburyriverside.co.uk if you wish to donate anything to the exhibition.
