April
The issue of mould in Thurrock houses wouldn’t go away and many questioned whether the council had the right approach.
Tragedy as a lorry ploughs into a car near to Junction 30 of the M25, killing a pensioner
It wasn’t a great year for Essex Police and in April, the govt.placed them bottom of the league for tackling anti-social behaviour.
Thurrock Conservatives paid tribute to Margaret Thatcher, who passed away.
The Big Local offered community groups in Grays a million pounds.
Dorothy Daly continued to fight for justice after her son, Glenn was killed in a motorbike accident in Greece in 2011.
Two terms seem to crop up more and more: Bedroom Tax and Foodbanks
There was a real push by Thurrock Council for more local businesses to win contracts.
New council tenancies including “promotion” and “demotion.”
Chafford dancer, Keri Graham gave Simon Cowell a lap-dance on Britain’s Got Talent.
Grays Athletic won the Ryman Div One North after a great unbeaten run.
Thurrock MP questions sales of contraband cigarettes. Jackie also went on the front foot over the Dartford Crossing telling council leader, John Kent that he needed to be a man with a plan.
Cocaine valued at £17 million seized at Port of Tilbury.
The poor attendance record of Ockendon councillor, Aaron Kiely continued to be a matter of debate.
Blackshots library celebrated its sixtieth birthday.
May
Some yearly traditions are set in stone as the Thurrock Gang Show once again proved a hit.
Thurrock continued to be a setting for the cameras as the documentary called The Outer Edges showed.
Labour candidate, Polly Billington continued to make her presence felt and took on the subject of zero hour contracts.
Essex Police continued to grapple with the issue of cruisers at Lakeside.
Thurrock Council re-organised the bin collection system. To say it had “teething issues” would be an understatement.
Your Thurrock announced it was to launch a second paper after winning an award. YourHarlow launched in July.
Tilbury councillor, Clare Baldwin was at the centre of a benefit fraud allegation. She denies the charges.
A number of the Thurrock T-Birds gained national honours.
Grays Town Band celebrated its 125th birthday.
Both Thurrock MPs voted against same sex marriage bill.
Mayor Yash Gupta ended his year after undertaking 374 appearances.
Stanford dance outfit, Youth Creation were a hit on Britain’s Got Talent.
It was reported that an increasing number of London borough’s were sending their homeless to Thurrock.
June
The Thurrock Beer Festival once again proved a hit.
But residents complained to licensing over noise at the Kings Arms in Orsett.
Tudor Court Primary were pleased with an Ofsted that had elements of Outstanding.
The Tories continued to question the “merger” of Thurrock Council with Barking and Dagenham Council.
Under-performing Grays School employs a super-head (James Howarth) and later in the year rebrands as Hathaway Academy.
The big society was still alive in Stanford-le-Hope as Scratton Road had another street party.
Often with many crime stories, you often wonder if anyone was caught. The accosting of a boy near to toilets in Morrisons in Grays was one that came to mind.
The Royal Opera House continued their great work in the borough especially when Chris Brubeck and L’Orchestre de’Bretagne played at the Civic Hall.
Corringham Primary School went into special measures.
David Cameron and the world’s media came to DP World.
Ockendon councillor Lynn Carr continued to work hard for her residents. Residents parking and horses were top of the agenda.
Chadwell concentration camp survivor wins award is another illustration as to the hidden history of Thurrock
We had some thought-provoking blogs from Dr Shehadeh.
A number of Thurrock athletes continued to shine at international level including Khai LeBorde and Hayley MacLean.
The probe into the accounts at the Thurrock Thames Gateway Development Corporation continued.
Bernie Parsons swept his wife off her feet on her last day of work at Debenhams
A PR disaster for Kenningtons Primary as their decision to “ban” Sports Day attracts national attention.
Thurrock Council kick of “Transforming Homes” programme.
