SINCE YourThurrock launched we have become acquainted with some global names: Purfleet in West Australia, Corringham in Lincolnshire, Aveley in New South Wales and now Tilbury in Ontario.
From the age of sixteen, she was booted out of her own home and living in a shed in the street in River Court, Purfleet. Then onto the homeless hostel at Charles Street. For while she stayed at the home of a (then) friend until she was thrown out on suspicion of stealing. Then she came across Daniel Thomas and his flat in Darnley Road. The narrative of daily life as read out in court for Priscilla was depressing. There were no witty asides, no "Shameless satire". Priscilla was no Morven Callar. It was a tale of skunk, whizz, sniff, puff, mandrax, white lightning, breezers, wine, fags.
Since the General Election the ConDems have been busy ditching all sorts of pre-election promises. Increasing VAT, Fuel Duty, trebling university Tuition Fees and scrapping Education Maintenance Allowance will have a negative effect on the living standards of many families on Thurrock.
As interested as everybody was in how Grays Beach was getting on, nobody really wanted to do anything to help it. The official line from any administration, councillor or officer would be, 'Grays Beach is Thurrock's flagship park', which is true, it just isn't treated as such. In the summer of 2009 vandalism at the park reached a new high, the galleon was set on fire and half of it had to be demolished. Unfortunately, rather than be demolished straight away it had a few weeks of tape around it in the middle of the kids' summer holidays.
One man's free speech I guess. Try telling that to Robert Murat who was apparently guilty of being too interested in helping out at the scene of Madeleine McCann's abduction or Stefan Kizko who spent decades in prison for a murder he hadn't committed on the basis of being a bit odd looking that way.
I have always thought of New York as a big city of sky scrapers. Well, of course it is; but now I know that beneath the sky scrapers beats a warm heart. My recent visit to New York showed me just how helpful and friendly New Yorkers are. From offers of a seat on the subway to readiness with advice and directions.
Imagine, the world premiere of Ludd and Isis, Grays Athletic games live, council meetings, music events, breaking news such as the Coryton protests or "Frozen Thurrock". The potential is there. It will come to a borough near you. What you want is that it comes to this borough as well.
Some say that the local voice has been limited to voting once every five years or writing a ranty letter to the local paper. Here there may be a chance to give every taxpayer/constituent a true portal for the people.
Remember, Xmas is one day, but the effect will last you all year and is the stress worth it? I suggest we all go back to the simple life, helping children make presents, visiting people at home who are lonely, make up hampers of food and fruit to give as gifts and be thankful for the love and support of our families, most of all try to be happy this Xmas.
Alongside wedding, funeral and buying your first car, graduation has got to be one of the milestones of your life and should be a day to remember, I won’t be forgetting it in a hurry. After some tense talks, (in which my graduation was not discussed), the RMT (London Underground Workers Union) decided to walk out of work on Sunday night. This was the first sign that things were not going to go entirely to plan.
I had intended complaining this month, about the service received on package holiday plane journeys. Having recently returned from a holiday in Rhodes and been extremely
So the axe has finally fallen and, as usual, it falls hardest on those who have the least. The new Coalition Government constantly blames the cuts on Labour, who undoubtedly played a large part in creating the problems we now face with their
I first began my talk by discussing my book and the different emotions it has evoked with people. The response was tremendous, so many people having similar emotions yet just needing to hear their feelings verbalised. It gave the audience a feeling of being understood, such a small thing yet to so many, a major part of their healing.
The atmosphere was electric in the British Pullman lounge, anticipation and excitement mirrored on everyone’s faces. As I gazed around at my fellow passengers, I was intrigued by two young Oriental girls wearing panama hats. Was I still in 2010 in London? I watched them chattering animatedly to each other, obviously as excited as me.
Writing for me is a way of expressing my curiosity I have of everything within the world. I am a very curious human being and like everybody, I don’t have all the answers in life. However, I like to find a meaning within almost everything in our lives as I am sure everything has something behind it, and writing enables me to say what I can’t always say out loud or necessarily think clear enough to make sense of in my head.
