THOUSANDS of people descended on Grays Town Park on Wednesday (29 July) for the seventh Thurrock Council-organised Big Local Lunch.
An estimated 3,000 people, young and old came along to the park with their picnic and enjoyed a wide range of activities and stalls.
The event is part of the national Eden project event and this year’s theme was The Gruffalo who visited the park and mingled with the visitors.
Over 60 of Thurrock’s many voluntary organisations, charities and council services supported the event which was held in partnership with Riverside Community Big Local.
The sun shone, the rain stayed away, the Mosque in the park opened for tours, and there was face painting, wall-climbing and many different sporting activities.
A stage set up in the park was kept busy for four hours with the best of Thurrock – dance schools, singers, and fitness demonstrations.
Mayor of Thurrock, Cllr Sue Gray, said: “It was a great event that showed when families come out together they can be united in having fun.
“The whole day was a huge success. Tom Flynn and team Princes Trust, kept the entertainment going, the voluntary sector side stalls were full of information and entertainment.”
She added: “I had a wonderful birthday with the residents of Thurrock who came along.”
And new communities portfolio holder, Cllr Jane Pothecary, added: “It was lovely to see so many families coming together in Grays Park to enjoy spending time together as a community.
“The Big Lunch has grown so much and I’d like to thank everyone involved for their hard work.
“Thurrock is a great place with great people and that is something we should celebrate more often. This month’s Village Beach along with the Big Lunch shows just what can be done when we come together as a community.”
