THE RICS Awards aim to recognise the most inspirational initiatives and developments in land, property, construction and the environment. When considering the regeneration award, judges looked for a scheme that has conserved or improved the environment in a way that has contributed to the viability of the area. The regional win puts The Backstage Centre in the running for the RICS’ national regeneration award.
The VERVE partnership group working to raise public awareness about planning and choices at End of Life, are holding a series of events across Basildon and Thurrock during “National Dying Matters” week, taking place this year between 12th to 18th May.
VERVE are keen to get the message out that ‘’ As we only die once we only get one chance to have our dying wishes met’’ - hence the theme of the fifth annual Dying Matters Awareness Week is ‘Dying Matters, You only die once’.
Chris and Pui will be filling the Thameside Theatre with songs, rhymes, comedy sketches and lots of joining in for all the family. Their stage show brings something for everyone aged two to 92 with many of their best-loved characters making an appearance including “oh my woolly word!” Little Bo Peep, the Grand Old Duke, Humpty, Granny Humpty, the Hey Diddle Cow and Incy Wincy.
THE Port of Tilbury, supported by the PLA, is hosting an Open Weekend at the London Cruise Terminal on Saturday 14th and Sunday 15th June 2014. This is an opportunity for the general public to view the PLA Memorial tablets in the centenary year of the Great War and other memorabilia on display, together with an exhibition of archive maps of the area loaned to us by Essex Record Office.
FAMOUSLY starring Anthony Hopkins on screen, and more recently Rob Brydon on stage, Alan Ayckbourn's inimitable writing style takes a look at the lives and loves of an amateur dramatic society trying to hold it together on stage while it all falls apart behind the scenes. When Guy Jones arrives to audition for the Pendon Amateur Light Operatic Society he is quickly met by a host of characters eager to exploit his good nature. As relationships blossom and business deals are done, Guy soon finds his level of involvement spiralling out of control.
THURROCK Council’s libraries will be celebrating and encouraging creative writing with its second Thurrock Writers Festival on Saturday, June 14 at Grays Library. Tickets for the adult workshops are £2.50 and for children’s workshops £1 each and can be booked by visiting or contacting Grays Library on 01375 413976.
THURROCK'S very own, Celebrity Big Brother winner, Rylan Clark came to intu Lakeside on Monday afternoon to unveil 'Sparky the Elephant. As you can see from our film, Rylan was overcome with joy at seeing for the first time, the completed version of Sparky.
THE 2014 Thurrock Art Trail is gathering momentum as more groups and venues show an interest. The Thurrock Art Trail is taking place at various locations around the borough between Saturday 6th and Sunday 21st September.
CHAFFORD Hundred enjoyed its first Chafford Dog Day held at the Chafford Gorges Nature Park. The event began with a one hour walk to warm up the pooches, organised by the ZeroPooChafford campaigners.
THINK of great live music and you’re unlikely to think of Thurrock. It has been several years since the borough had a recognised central venue for its music scene in the Fat Surfer, and it seems like eons ago when, at the height of 1990s Britpop, the finest bands in the borough, acts such as Lunar Sea, Honeylust and More Tea Vicar, created their very own spotlight at Stanford’s Luna Club. In recent years however, the Thurrock scene has struggled in a climate of recession where the pub industry has struggled to attract in the punters.
THE SEAL of approval may be that they will leave you alone for a couple of years but we are sure that there are a number of hard-working teachers at both Abbots Hall primary and Arthur Bugler infants who are happy with that.
NGAGE Volunteer Centre Thurrock is holding a free drop-in Volunteer Recruitment Fayre to help local residents find volunteering opportunities in Thurrock.
A HEALTH and safety working group was set up at the Port of Tilbury in 2011 with the aim to invigorate the ports’ ‘Safety First’ campaign. Both Kevin and Ian embraced the project with real passion and commitment and worked to engage those on the frontline of the operational environment, by giving the workforce greater ownership over health and safety initiatives.
IT IS FREE ADMISSION and there will be Strawberries and Cream, Tea Rooms, BBQ, Craft Stalls, a Bar, Craft Stalls and Psychic Readers. For the children, there will be lots of FABADOUSA fun courtesy of The Partyman Company. There will be a live show from Jimbo the Partyman, Face Painting, Donkey Rides, Side Stalls and much more! (Please note there will be a small charge for some of the attractions except for the LIVE Show).
TWO Thurrock Council libraries are hosting events to mark Dementia Awareness week (18 to 24 May).
Drop-in sessions are planned where members of the public can come along and speak to a member of the Alzheimer’s Society for information and advice.
