WE SHAPE our buildings and then our buildings shape us" Famous words by Sir Winston Churchill. So it is a delight to see the Thurrock campus of South Essex College take shape. YT went on a tour of the building to see how far they had got. One of things that struck us was the iconic and aesthetic quality of the architecture.
ORIGINALLY designed as a one-month venture to coincide with the introduction of the shopping centre’s new intu brand (which features the same shade of bright orange), the bus proved to be so popular with people in the local area that intu Lakeside made the decision to keep it on the road for much longer. Its ownership was also kept a mystery until now so it could continue to serve as a fun conversation starter rather than becoming part of the centre’s wider advertising strategy.
FORMER England bowler Phi Tufnell will be the star attraction at a special event at Orsett Hall next month. A Gentleman’s Evening with Phil Tufnell and Comedian Jed Stone in being held on Friday 7 March. The Orsett Hall Hotel are hosting it along with Orsett Cricket Club.
THE main cause of COPD is smoking; symptoms include breathlessness, chronic cough, regular phlegm production and frequent winter bronchitis or wheeze. It affects more than 9,000 people across south west Essex and some people are living with COPD without realising. This survey has been developed to discover patients’ experiences of current services, how effective and accessible these services are and to identify areas for improvement.
AN EXCITING music festival is hoping to come to Orsett this summer. Essex Fest will see established acts such as Ms Dynamite to emerging talent from around the country.
ESSEX POLICE has vowed to continue to investigate complaints of fraud after a well-known Thurrock businessman pleaded guilty to VAT Fraud and acting as a company director when banned from doing so. The court case and on-going investigation are in sharp contrast to a glittering business career that for many embodied the "Essex Dream" but for others has left a trail of debt and heartbreak that they claim was caused by Phil Cooper.
VOLUNTEERS from Riverside Community, Big Local Grays will be out and about on Feb 15th asking residents of the Big Local area how best the £1.000.000 that has been awarded can be used to make a lasting difference for the lives of local residents in the area.
TWO men have been arrested in connection with an arson attempt on a car dealership in Grays in January. A 61-year-old man from Grays was arrested on January 23 on suspicion of conspiracy to commit arson and was released on police bail pending further enquiries until February 21.
KEY to the success of First Time Live – Youth is putting young people at the centre of the project and giving them responsibility for creating a major orchestral concert for their peers. This includes selecting concert repertoire, scriptwriting, sound and lighting design, video projection, stage management, writing press releases, blogging, photography, concert presentation and even conducting. Through empowering Young Producers, the events generate high levels of engagement and enthusiasm amongst participants, both in the audience and on stage, including the professional musicians.
LAST night (Thursday 6th February) was an evening full of entertainment, as I watched Thurrock Courts Players's highly amusing interpretation of “Love Begins at 50”.
In this 'romantic comedy of errors', we witness a middle aged man going through a mid-life crisis. In a desperate appeal to rekindle his teenage life Clive yearns for one last final fling. As expected everything goes wrong and leaves the cast in some difficult situations.
GPS can also refer patients who suffer from low self-esteem, stress or anxiety, loneliness or depression to the programme.
Funded by Sport England, the programme will include an initial health assessment, with regular review meetings; 12 weeks of free sports sessions with a qualified coach in a chosen sport; a dedicated personal programme to meet individual needs; and a chance to continue participation with local clubs for a further nine months with subsidised membership and fees.
THEY sometimes say it’s not WHAT you know but WHO you know that is important. And when you have a problem or a question it helps to know just who to talk to. It is even better if the answer is right on your doorstep. The Information and Advice Service at the Aveley Youth & Community Centre is always trying to add new services to help their local residents.
THE EVER popular Liam's Club Night returns to the Thameside Theatre later this month. The club night backed by Thurrock Lifestyle Solutions has proved very popular and has a wide range of DJs turning the (it says here) the wheels of steel.
THE RSPCA have warned pet owners to be on their guard after two cats were poisoned by drinking anti-freeze in South Ockendon. The two cats arrived home after being out all night and appeared lethargic, were experiencing fits and struggling to stand.
IT WON'T be long now until the Thurrock campus of South Essex College will open. If it keeps to its timetable (and knowing the Skanska team they will) then it will open in September.
