MAYOR of Thurrock, Cllr Sue Gray wrote to the Mayor of Paris on Saturday (14 November) following Friday’s atrocities in the city.
She wrote:
Dear Maire de Paris, Anne Hidalgo and all the peoples of France,
I would like to send to you our profound condolences on the atrocities you have encountered. For and on behalf of all residents of Thurrock.
With deepest respect.
Sue
Councillor Sue Gray, Mayor of Thurrock
Speaking on Monday, the mayor said: “I felt there was little else to say, the horrors we saw on our television screens were beyond words, I just felt I needed to express the deepest sympathies and condolences of the people of Thurrock.”
The Union Flag was lowered to half-mast outside the Civic Offices on Monday and all Thurrock Council offices observed a one minute’s silence at 11am.
Thurrock Council chief executive Lyn Carpenter added: “We will be opening a Book of Condolence in the foyer of the Civic Offices in Grays if people wish to express their personal feelings.
“At next week’s full council meeting the mayor will be marking the presentation of France’s Legion d’Honneur to Thurrock resident Albert England – for his role in the D-Day Normandy landings.
“That seems an appropriate time to close the Book of Condolence which will then be passed to the French Embassy.”
The Book of Condolence was signed by the mayor, Leader of the Council, Cllr John Kent and Chief Executive, Lyn Carpenter.
It will be available in the council’s Civic Offices foyer during normal working hours.
