THE South Ockendon Centre had a distinguished visitor on Friday (May 3), when Mayor of Thurrock, Cllr Yash Gupta visited.
He went to the centre – the first Thurrock “hub” – to see what was going on and what was available at Derry Avenue.
The centre is on the site of Belhus Library, and the library is still going strong, giving the mayor a chance to join local mums and tioddlers in the Baby Rhyme Time fun and games.
He also met with several of the centre’s volunteers and staff. It is run by volunteers and staff who aim to help people with any enquires they may have.
South Ockendon Community Forum is also in the centre – which, in addition to the library hosts council housing estate officers who hold drop-in surgeries daily from 10am to noon and between 2pm and 4pm.
Cllr Gupta said: “It was great and really enjoyable to visit the centre and see so much was going on. The mums and youngsters were thoroughly enjoying the rhyme time and everyone was so busy yet so friendly too.
“Finally, I’d like to give my thanks to the volunteers and staff for their hard work in starting this first community hub. The fact it is already widely used by local people shows their work has been worth the effort.!”
